Hey all,

I play piano for 5-6 years now as a adult beginner and in my journey I started with a cheap 80€ keyboard, then quickly changed to a Yamaha YDP-143 and started taking lessons and then almost 2 years ago got a Kawai NV5s when it was brand new. I was very impressed by the nv5 at that time but after almost 2 years I have to say that the sound quality and bass-centric character is simply not enough/satisfying and often even not bearable to my ear. I think the action is fine. It's really precise and has a good dynamic range, also observable when you open a midi monitor, but I realize that when humidity changes (increases during winter), it feels tougher to play and I can also hear a sqeeking noise from the left side of the cabin when pressing the sustain pedal. It did not occur so often but it's there regularly. It's true that contacting the dealer will resolve probably all of this issues but why are they there in the first place?

So I researched and decided to buy Garritan CFX VST after reading all the recommendations from users all over here to improve at least the sound. It is amazing! This plugin ignited my fire for playing again! But connecting the chain from nv5s to macbook and back via line in is problematic, as I'm facing ground loop issues. With headphones everything is fine. Sure, ground loop can be also fixed which other users pointed out in this forum but now I question myself if the nv5s is at all worth it.

Learning with upright action is really not ideal I have to say and returning the key to the most upright position is annoying.

Surely it's possible to achieve great success also with upright action as thousands of other students but let's face reality, I play for enjoyment and not for competition.

First I was thinking about either trading up for a N1X (but there might be some successor in the next months?) or NV10s (would be maybe optimal if it is issue free) but then I got some feeling that going all the route back to a P-515 or CLP-745 or a Nord Grand might be better. Why you might ask? Because the price of hybrid is not justified in my eyes. The value of the first nv5 is declining rapidly fast. I saw offers for used ones for 4k€. Maybe it's not worth at all to invest so much in digitals/hybrids at all and stick to a good midi controller (in sense of P-515, mp11se and alike). In my thought I would save up the money for sometime in the future when space and money allow for a used grand or even a very good silent upright (U1 and up with TA2 or even TA3 now?). Till then I will play one of the best sounding VST which is comfortable to my ears with a 80% believable "mechanic"?

I don't know if anyone can even understand what I feel or maybe I'm even perceived as snobby or crazy but I wanted to get this out of my chest. I will contact my dealer and see if the issues can be resolved so that the person who owns it after me can have a problem free nv5s. But I think spending so much money on upright hybrid is not worth it. Paying also 8k€ - 9k€ for n1x and nv10s is also to much money in my eyes.

What do others think? Does anyone have similar experiences?