Loaded Oasys in the $2000-$2500 range or extra $1000 for K?

[apex]

hm...... it will be closer to the $2000 than $2500 though... 88 key Oasys

or 88 key Kronos for $3200?

man... the fact that they engines are unlocked for Oasys closes the gap quite a bit doesn't it...?

[curvebender]

hm...... it will be closer to the $2000 than $2500 though... 88 key Oasys

or 88 key Kronos for $3200?

man... the fact that they engines are unlocked for Oasys closes the gap quite a bit doesn't it...?

Let me tell you something else that will close the gap even more:

I tried the Kronos for the first time today, and I was honestly shocked by the small size of the screen! Coming from the Oasys, sitting in front of the Kronos is quite the test for your eyes. (The fact that you can't alter the angle of the display doesn't help either.) Also: The fonts are minimal, to say the least.

The Kronos does have a higher resolution, but what does it matter when you have to stress your eyes to be able to see what's on the screen?..

I really didn't think the difference would be that significant, but it is. It's like comparing surfing the web on a normal desktop with surfing on the iPhone..

But then again: the Kronos will have an editor, so that might help perhaps.

[apex]

hm...... it will be closer to the $2000 than $2500 though... 88 key Oasys

or 88 key Kronos for $3200?

man... the fact that they engines are unlocked for Oasys closes the gap quite a bit doesn't it...?

Let me tell you something else that will close the gap even more:

I tried the Kronos for the first time today, and I was honestly shocked by the small size of the screen! Coming from the Oasys, sitting in front of the Kronos is quite the test for your eyes. (The fact that you can't alter the angle of the display doesn't help either.) Also: The fonts are minimal, to say the least.

The Kronos does have a higher resolution, but what does it matter when you have to stress your eyes to be able to see what's on the screen?..

I really didn't think the difference would be that significant, but it is. It's like comparing surfing the web on a normal desktop with surfing on the iPhone..

But then again: the Kronos will have an editor, so that might help perhaps.

so what do you think would be the better option?

[MartinHines]

Only you can make the decision.

OASYS Features:
-- bigger screen and tiltable (but lower resolution)
-- more audio inputs and outputs
-- higher quality controllers (LED knobs, LED switches)
-- internal CD drive
-- higher build quality
-- discontinued product; no chance for future developments or enhancements

Kronos Features:
-- additional engines (Piano SGX-1 and EPs EP-1)
-- longer parts availability
-- newer hammer action keybed (RH3 vs. OASYS RH2)
-- newer (and more) Presets (and have access to all the OASYS Programs and Combis)
-- Editor software (hopefully soon)
-- Plug-in software (hopefully soon)
-- potential for new enhancements (new features, new instruments, new samples)

At this point I would probably go for the Kronos 88. I think the Kronos pianos and EPs are a big improvement over the comparable OASYS sounds.

I think you could sell a lot of your existing equipment to help fund it, specifically your Triton Extreme 88, M3-M, Motif Rack XS, Fantom XR.

[Dany]

-- newer hammer action keybed (RH3 vs. OASYS RH2)
...

Yes, the RH3 is newer, BUT the RH2 has still the better build quality. (Just read some threads about RH3). I've compared them extensively. The RH2 keybed was especially built by FATAR for KORG and has obviously a more expensive construction, with more build parts than the less complex built and therefore cheaper to produce RH3 keybed. So you can take this as an argument FOR the OASYS...it's keys have an excellent feeling. When I play Ivory-II on the OASYS-88, it really gives me the feeling of playing a real steinway grand, which is really astonishing. And I have the real comparison, because I am playing sometimes on a real steinway in my local church, which has a great acoustic...

-

[curvebender]

so what do you think would be the better option?

I honestly don't know!

For a while there, I contemplated getting rid of my Oasys to get a Kronos (I would kill for the EP-1), but after today, that's not going to happen I think.

It's not only about sounds, it's about appearance and "feel" of the hardware, and I believe the Oasys wins that round hands down.

But, again, the future editor for the Kronos could be a deal breaker. Hmm..

[MartinHines]

-- newer hammer action keybed (RH3 vs. OASYS RH2)
...

Yes, the RH3 is newer, BUT the RH2 has still the better build quality. (Just read some threads about RH3). I've compared them extensively. The RH2 keybed was especially built by FATAR for KORG and has obviously a more expensive construction, with more build parts than the less complex built and therefore cheaper to produce RH3 keybed. -

I suspect the RH3 keybed is also built by Fatar for Korg. Also, I have seen no evidence the RH3 costs Korg less money than the RH2.

I think the RH3 is a lead-free design, prompted by the EU RoHs Restriction of Hazardous Substances) law.

Also, the RH3 in the Kronos is slightly different than the RH3 in the SV-1.

Having owned an OASYS 88 (in the past) and now a Kronos 88, I can't feel any difference between the two actions

[Dany]

I have seen no evidence the RH3 costs Korg less money than the RH2.

I had the chance to study both, the RH2's (OASYS-88 ) and RH3's (SV-1) construction in detail in dessembled form, and it seems to be evident that the RH3's construction is less complex and less expensive than the RH2's. Which doesn't mean, that the RH3 won't give you a very pleasant play feeling.

Also, the RH3 in the Kronos is slightly different than the RH3 in the SV-1.

I know, but I doubt that the basic construction is different.

Having owned an OASYS 88 (in the past) and now a Kronos 88, I can't feel any difference between the two actions

Which of course you would, if you could do a side-by-side comparison.

It is of course always completely subjective, which keybed will suit your taste and playing style, etc...

-

[markuk]

I have an oasys 88 and i will be totally honest the keys feel like cheap plastic. and they are far too light. Its nothing at all like a piano.

[Dany]

I have an oasys 88 and i will be totally honest the keys feel like cheap plastic. and they are far too light. Its nothing at all like a piano.

Then, the Kronos RH3 Keyboard would be so much the worse for you than the OASYS RH2 Keyboard, considering Kevin Nolan's post:

...I've played both. RH3 is definitely slightly softer and smoother and so ever so slightly less piano-like. Never the less, it is a beautiful keyboard action, even for piano sounds. It for friend is looking for it for piano he n worry and won't be disappointed - it in no way betrays playing piano instrument / programs.

from this thread:

http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... p?p=385649

-

[Dany]

...I suspect the RH3 keybed is also built by Fatar for Korg.

From this thread: http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... 7&start=30

...The way it was explained to me by someone who has been in the Acoustic piano biz for along time, but also has been selling Digital pianos since the early '90s, is ---The RH3 keybed action was originally designed and used by Technics in their DPs.
Technics went out of business a few years ago, Korg bought the rights and has been using these keybeds pretty much *as they were*. Now according to some threads here, it appears there have been some minor tweaks on the Kronos RH3; to what extent I have no idea.

I also have no idea where the RH3s are manufactured. Again, not to belabor the point, but if Korg would simply come up to the level of a $900 Yamaha P155---I don't think that's asking too much.

-

[cello]

I have an oasys 88 and i will be totally honest the keys feel like cheap plastic. and they are far too light. Its nothing at all like a piano.

That surprises me - but I guess to each his own, as they say.

I've been playing pianos for most of my life (rather for all but 4 of my years!) and I love the OASYS 88 action. Kronos too 'synthy' for me. Nothing wrong with that frankly - but it doesn't work for me as a piano bed. I'm getting a new keyboard soon and it's a synth and plays like one, so no complaint there.

And anyway, I find that I adapt a different style for each sound I play, and then adapt again for each instrument I play.

[leo200]

Only you can make the decision.

OASYS Features:
-- bigger screen and tiltable (but lower resolution)
-- more audio inputs and outputs
-- higher quality controllers (LED knobs, LED switches)
-- internal CD drive
-- higher build quality
-- discontinued product; no chance for future developments or enhancements
XR.

And better sound quality!

[Dany]

Only you can make the decision.

OASYS Features:
-- bigger screen and tiltable (but lower resolution)
-- more audio inputs and outputs
-- higher quality controllers (LED knobs, LED switches)
-- internal CD drive
-- higher build quality
-- discontinued product; no chance for future developments or enhancements
XR.

And better sound quality!

Although I've already sent you a personal e-mail regarding this issue, can you please, if you don't mind, talk in more detail on this forum about the "better sound quality" of OASYS vs Kronos, because nobody else, like for example KARMA developer Steven Kay, who claims the opposite, seems to believe this fact, (if it is indeed a fact)...

Thanks
-

[cello]

Dany - I too think the OASYS sounds better than the Kronos.

The O is rich and full and and the kronos sound 'thinner'.

I accept this is not scientific. I accept too that it is entirely emotionally lead. I accept that you could show me all PCB and component diagrams to show me that they're exactly the same.

But although I view the Kronos as a fantastic instrument, I see it only as a cheap copy (with a couple of tech updates - none of which have anything to do with sound quality) of a superior instrument - so that will have a lot to do with how I 'perceive' the sound difference.

However, if you don't mind, I have every right to have my opinion - and if it's alright with you, I won't be changing it any time soon.