Technics SX-PC25

Digital piano
10+ octaves, 88 keys
Weighted keys, Touch Response technology -> double- scapement action simulation
32-note polyphony (16 in stereo)
Instruments: 6 (grand piano, upright piano, electric piano, harpsichord, organ, strings)
Connections: MIDI IN/OUT, AUX Phono IN (L, R), 2x headphones, pedal
Functions: volume, demos, +/- 0.8% tuning, transposition, piano feel, digital reverb, midi channel selection, local control, 2x pedals
Loudspeakers: 2 x 15 W 12cm x 2
Other: 70W, 86 lbs., 138.7x98.3x43.5cm, music stand, AC cord, around $1500 in 2001, new.

UTILIZATION

The keyboard is fabulous!
From all the digital pianos I have been able to test (a dozen from different brands), this one is indisputably the best. It replicates all tactile sensations of a real piano. The keys are not only weighted, but the different resistance degrees, depending on the force with which you press the key and the attack, reproduce the exact sensation of the double escapement mechanism of a real piano. Moreover, the ballasting is spread across four zones along the piano: The key touch on the bass cleft is heavy and it gets lighter as you move to the treble. (see the official brochure for more details)
The functions are rather basic but effective. Besides the keys, there are only two additional buttons, which gives the piano a sober look, not packed with thingamajigs. All functions are carried out with the keyboard, by pressing the Mode or Sound button and, sometimes, the pedal.
Transposing the piano is done in a matter of seconds: You simply have to press Mode and the key corresponding to the key required. It is also possible to fine tune in 0.8 hundredth of a Hz, to play with other, not tempered instruments!
Midi channel selection is done in the exact same way (Mode+key marked 1 to 16). Also adjustable are the keyboard itself (heavy, normal and light) and the digital reverb (On/Off). The same principle is applied to switch from one instrument to the other. And you can also select two instruments simultaneously. And you can obviously adjust the volume with a wheel.
To sum it up, it has a nice selection of well-implemented functions.

SOUNDS

The sound of the grand piano is magnificent. The reverb transports you to a concert hall next to Rachmaninoff. Every section of the piano is impeccably polished, both in terms of feel and sound, which are very realistic from highs to lows. I am as fond of it as I am of the Yamaha baby grand on which I learned to play. The other instruments are of very good quality.
The electric piano is great. It replicates exactly the one used by Ray Charles, where the sounds changes depending on the pressure you apply. Yeah-Yeah Baby. Instruments are multi-sampled with the Dynamic Acoustics PCM sampling system.
The only sound that is a bit crappy are the violins, but I have never found one that pleases me.
The only defect, rooted in the amp, is an almost imperceptible background noise, which does not vary with the sound level. (oh, yes, I had to find a defect!). I noticed it only two years after having bought it, in the middle of the night, when everything is really silent. So it's not really a defect.

OVERALL OPINION

I am really satisfied with it after 3 years of use. It's excellent at what it is supposed to do: Replace a real piano. I would buy it again without hesitation, especially given its price. My sister, who tried dozens of pianos in many stores, ended up buying it, too (in 2002).

The SX-PC25 is an ideal instrument for an apartment. You sill certainly not find lots of features, but the ones implemented are very effective. I have recently completed it with a Midi controller and my notebook.
If you don't need hundreds of features, but rather a "true" piano, the SX-PC25 is the best!!

Pros: Perfect feel, fabulous grand piano (and E-piano), adjustable fine tuning, incredible value for money.
Cons: Not many features nor instruments

Link to the official brochure: http://www.technics.com/pdf/pc25.pdf

This great sounding piano Technics SX-PC25 is beautiful, elegant design by Technics to make it look like this and have the beautiful sound it has. This is a full length piano with 7 octaves (88 Keys) and 1/3. It has a MIDI I/O plug for MIDI playing. It has the look of a normal Grand Piano but Technics made it a digital piano with buttons to change its sounds and adjustments but at the same time make it look like a "back in the day" Beethoven Grand Piano. It has a whole library of sounds for you to play with and it offers you a great experience.

UTILIZATION

The configuration is easy to understand and it was easy to use the MIDI I/O and the other characteristics. It was easy to set up as all you had to was plug it in and play but if you wanted to play with it on the computer, there were a bit more complicated steps than those. The manual was clear and I could get around easily with the Technics SX-PC25.

SOUNDS

The sounds of the Technics SX-PC25 are great and they can really become any instrument you want it to be but it's preset sounds of piano are outstanding. The sounds are very realistic and the keys are velocity sensitive. You can play as fast as you want and it sounds perfect. The sustain pedals function really well and they give your piece of work a sweet touch of reverb to make the piece sound as clean and beautiful as possible. The Technics SX-PC25 has great sound effects and controls to make your pieces sound differently but still be top notch. The best sounds in the whole library are the Grand Piano ones since they are the richest sounds a piano can possibly play.

OVERALL OPINION

The Technics SX-PC25 is a great, elegant digital piano with the look of an old-school Grand Piano but with the functions of a modern, MIDI keyboard. The keyboard could have a bit more gadgets if it's going to cost what it costs but it's still great for what it is. The value of the price is a bit expensive in my opinion but it's very elegant and useful for people to make music. The sound quality is the best out there and it offers you a lot of sounds. This was my first model and it's fantastic and I'm not thinking of selling or giving it away.