HZPiano Yet it is very telling you should touch on these experiences, as possibly, probably, one word sums up this whole thread and my current conundrum:
-- Connection --
to an actual instrument of wood, strings, brass, felt, and whatnot. Connection is what really grabs me. Or, current practical limitations dictating, the closest illusion I can get/create.
I totally get this. And that's the reason I clung to not-so-good upright for so long, even after I got into digital -- and repeated the thing with a tiny grand even when I got an (arguably) excellent hybrid (the Yamaha NU1). And that I did all that I could to get my current very good grand. Even with that, a digital has its own benefits and I am working on a Cybrid-like one.
Granted, I can afford all of this becuase I had the fortune to move from the same situation of yours (when I lived in Rome) to the current single-story-detached-house which has almost no space limitations, and no neighbor complains whatsoever (the iconic USA house for many Europeans)
Given that you do have a somewhat satisfying digital, and given this additional information that we are discussing here, my guess is that the upgrade to either MP11 or VPC1 would be disappointing. In my experience (again YMMV disclaimer), only acoustic pianos make it for what you are seeking. Not even a hybrid (at least not the ones I tried/owned). As I said above, that does not make digital worthless.
HZPiano The main issue is that I live small, in an upstairs single-room apartment (maybe attic is the more appropriate description). I couldn't get any acoustic piano up the stairs and through tight curves, not even craned in through a window.
Who did you ask? I've seen piano movers do incredible things. As such, I strongly suggest that you do talk to professional movers and really assess the situation, if you haven't done so already. You may be surprised that they could say "it's possible", even though it might not be affordable (then you'd have to consider double that price, unless your current living location is "permanent", whatever might mean).
I notice that you do not mention the typical "bothering neighbors" problem. If that is so, I suggest you check some entry level Yamaha or Kawai (I prefer the latter better), sold as new. That only because a local store selling as new has more "leverage" with the movers (whom they hire all the time) than a never-heard-before random guy asking to move a thrift-store-found instrument. The mover may even do a store-requested move at a loss, just to keep the business relationship, whereas to you they may ask $500 or more to move that spare-change priced instrument.
Moreover (and I think I told this to you already in the past, but I may be confusing if it were you or someone else), you live not very far from https://keybird-instruments.com/keybird-x1/
I find this instrument a really great idea. The last 150-years of piano technology have chased mainly one thing: more volume. I applaud this company for the simple, but radical (acoustic piano is such a conservative field!) approach of throwing volume out of the window, and seeing what are we left with. Now, I'd be really delighted to hear an independent review of this instrument, let alone to try one myself in person. Heck, even being in the USA, before I got my current grand, I thought to travel there to try one of theirs! If i were you, I'd really go to their place and beg them to death to let me play one. If they have done a good job (which I have no way to assess), it may be the perfect solution for you. Almost digital-like transport logistic, reduced footprint, and acoustic sound. The volume limitation is a plus in a small room, and the only actual limitation is the reduced compass (number of notes), but that might be a small price to pay. Also, the limited number of strings, make it much easier to tune, and you might even want to learn that skill yourself. With its form factor it would be a bit tricky to accommodate in your single-room living space (without getting rid of the digital) but not impossible: for example you may put the digital on a shelf over this one, and the monitors (if they are "thin" enough) next to the legs ot the keybird (perhaps under, if they don't bother your legs when playing). If instead you get a Yamaha b1 (or similar) the digital can go on top of it (I had that setup myself for a while). The digital playing when standing would be "band like" ;-)
HZPiano This may well be the pivotal point in helping me think more clearly on the matter this weekend.
Happy mulling!
