Is this REALLY what the inside of the Pa5X looks like...?!

G · Post by G » Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:34 pm

Is this REALLY what the inside of the Pa5X looks like...?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRrgxYw2Eb0

It was bad enough - then I saw the cheap aftermarket power supply being held by two plastic zip ties...

This can't be true...?

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 12:42 am

Don't stress - it's perfectly fine... just enjoy what it does....

G · Post by G » Tue Apr 18, 2023 2:05 am

karmathanever wrote:Don't stress - it's perfectly fine... just enjoy what it does....

Really...?

If it was a sub $1,500 arranger, I might agree with you...

But for a $5,000 arranger - totally unacceptable.

Not only are they using a cheap aftermarket power supply (only rated for indoor use) being held in by two zip ties...

They are actually using a USB cable to make interior connections, etc...

Won't even comment on the PCBs and cabling and wiring, etc.

I knew they were cutting corners and trying to save money when they stated they weren't going to be putting in a hard drive...

But if that video is real ... wow... just wow...

Asena · Post by **Asena** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 3:33 am

YEP that Video is rel, More real than we see

Sam CA · Post by **Sam CA** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 4:51 am

I don't know anything about electronics and parts ...but man that soundtrack!!!

:3drofl:

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 6:53 am

G wrote:If it was a sub $1,500 arranger, I might agree with you..
But for a $5,000 arranger - totally unacceptable.
Not only are they using a cheap aftermarket power supply (only rated for indoor use) being held in by two zip ties...
They are actually using a USB cable to make interior connections, etc...
Won't even comment on the PCBs and cabling and wiring, etc.
I knew they were cutting corners and trying to save money when they stated they weren't going to be putting in a hard drive...
But if that video is real ... wow... just wow...

Hi G
I actually agree but I think that we either accept it or reject it as no-one seems to care.
I would love to see inside the Yamahas, Ketrons, Nords too - not suggesting that they are the same but unfortunately this is what we are faced with in 2023 also in many many other devices with computer components. Sadly we live in a world of cost-cutting and short cuts. We have to rely on customer service and support now, and with Korg arrangers that is a worry!!!
I hate that I can no longer feel confident in the reliability.

I couldn't agree more with your disappointment and surprise. Sorry if my post read differently.

I am waiting to see if Korg ever get this keyboard into a stable state before I consider it - then it will be a "value for money" project for me.
The PA5x-76 RRP here is $9,500 - street varies from $6,800-$7,500. My issue now is if I replace my PA4x (would be hoping for $3,200) then the PA5x would cost me an additional $4,000 out-of-pocket so I have to ask (for me) are there enough improvements and features that I can use and would like (need) to justify losing my PA4x and another $4,000.
I need a lot of convincing right now and will wait.
This topic doesn't help my decision of course....

Pete

P.S.

Sam CA wrote:I don't know anything about electronics and parts ...but man that soundtrack!!!

Fabulous - have saved it as an MP3 to loop-play in my car

rikkisbears · Post by **rikkisbears** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 10:03 am

Sam CA wrote:I don't know anything about electronics and parts ...but man that soundtrack!!!

Haha, sounds like something out of those old Hammer horror movies.

petr14 · Post by **petr14** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 11:25 am

G wrote:
karmathanever wrote:Don't stress - it's perfectly fine... just enjoy what it does....
Really...?

If it was a sub $1,500 arranger, I might agree with you...

But for a $5,000 arranger - totally unacceptable.

Not only are they using a cheap aftermarket power supply (only rated for indoor use) being held in by two zip ties...

They are actually using a USB cable to make interior connections, etc...

Won't even comment on the PCBs and cabling and wiring, etc.

I knew they were cutting corners and trying to save money when they stated they weren't going to be putting in a hard drive...

But if that video is real ... wow... just wow...

And what's wrong with that? I have a laptop adapter and I don't think it's bad. I think it's a smart solution. The power supply is what breaks down most often with electronics. In this case, it would be easily repairable, even in home conditions. I don't mind the internal USB cabling either, on the contrary, it's an easy to use and replace part. Flat cables are much more difficult to disconnect and connect.

G · Post by G » Tue Apr 18, 2023 4:37 pm

Sam CA wrote:I don't know anything about electronics and parts ...

Fair enough...

If true, what they did was to cut corners, go cheap - and use parts not meant to be used the way Korg is using them.

They put an external power brick and just used 2 plastic zip ties to secure it, @2:02 in the video, (like laptops use, etc.) where an internal power supply should be (and was in every other Korg Pa that Korg made AFAIK).

They then just wrapped the extra power cord length of the external power brick around a screw - how ghetto.

Then they also put an external USB cable, @:45 in the video, (like a cable used to connect a computer to a printer, etc.) where internal wiring (cables, ribbons, etc.) should be (and were in every other Korg Pa that Korg made AFAIK).

The PCBs are cheap - and the cabling and wiring are a mess, etc.

And this is just what we can see from the posted video - who knows what other corners Korg cut and cheapened out on.

We know they decided to not put in a hard drive in the Pa5X in order to cut costs.

Totally unacceptable for a $5,000 (US) keyboard.

rubenwalters · Post by **rubenwalters** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 4:57 pm

this is a 9 month old video, maybe one of the beta tester leaked this out before the production. it may show a pre production keyboard?
i don‘t believe this user who often wants to leak and posts horror videos. his only reason is to post horor vids to earn clicks. i don‘t believe this one who has no name, no voice… very strange.
the discussion here is also old and done 9 months ago here on this board.
and i think too - i find nothing bad with this to use well prooved power supplies witch are conformity approoved worldwide. and also to use good shielded cables is not a bad solution.
(i know one really bad producers of keyboard hardware, damaged on every transport, but this was not korg)

G · Post by G » Tue Apr 18, 2023 5:46 pm

rubenwalters wrote:this is a 9 month old video, maybe one of the beta tester leaked this out before the production. it may show a pre production keyboard?
i don‘t believe this user who often wants to leak and posts horror videos. his only reason is to post horor vids to earn clicks. i don‘t believe this one who has no name, no voice… very strange.
the discussion here is also old and done 9 months ago here on this board.
and i think too - i find nothing bad with this to use well prooved power supplies witch are conformity approoved worldwide. and also to use good shielded cables is not a bad solution.
(i know one really bad producers of keyboard hardware, damaged on every transport, but this was not korg)

Well, that is what I thought at first also...

But someone who actually owns a Pa5X stated in here that the video is real.

It looks like you have a Pa5X - why not open it, take some pics, and prove it one way or the other?

rikkisbears · Post by **rikkisbears** » Tue Apr 18, 2023 9:27 pm

Hi, I ain’t opening my PA5x to prove this video might be a fake

I had a nuts and bolts over when I replaced a broken key in my old pa800. Should have numbered them haha. ( still worked anyway) .

Who on earth pulls a brand new $5k keyboard apart to make a video?

Bit like the Medeli vs Event video. Must have gotten tons of hits.
The guy who made video sells samples /sounds for Medeli.

Bit wary of what gets posted on utube.

the_boss81 · Post by **the_boss81** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 5:43 am

If, in your opinion, Korg cuts corners on quality... then what do you say to Genos? The Pa5X vs. Genos finish is profi look and materials vs. children's toy. I am aware that we are looking at the inside, but if the outside looks so cheap...

QuiRobinez · Post by **QuiRobinez** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 7:11 am

the_boss81 wrote:If, in your opinion, Korg cuts corners on quality... then what do you say to Genos? The Pa5X vs. Genos finish is profi look and materials vs. children's toy. I am aware that we are looking at the inside, but if the outside looks so cheap...

I totally agree!

I have a Genos and Pa5x next to each other and I'm much more worried about the plastic quality of the genos then the high quality metal/wood outside of the pa5x.

Considering the inside, I find it a brilliant move to use generic easy available components in the pa5x. Also the USB cable, perfect move, so easy to get and replace if that will ever break (I highly doubt that).

We live in days now that hardware components are not easy to get, so to build your gear with components that are easy to get or to replace on a long term is something I think is really smart.

rubenwalters · Post by **rubenwalters** » Wed Apr 19, 2023 10:54 am

at the shop I had the chance to test the Genos too.
—> I buyed the Korg Pa5x instantly