Old Top of the range vs new entry level Yamaha

[trebleclef]

I can buy a used Yamaha Tyros 1 released in 2002 for the same price as a brand new Yamaha PSR E473.

Judging solely on sound quality, will the Tyros be a lot better than the PSR?

I know memory is a lot cheaper now, allowing more space for detailed samples but just wondered if a TOTL arranger that's 23 years old will still outshine the new PSR's. I know sound quality is subjective, but just wondered what people's thoughts we're and if anyone has actually compared these two keyboards or similar side by side?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

BTW, my budget won't allow me to buy anything brand new above the PSR E473

Cheers,

Gary.

 

[Bouncingogre]

Hi Gary

OK. Few things to check out.

I had a Tyros 1, and in it's day it was an amazing keyboard. The Tyros models were all built well, and are good solid reliable workhorses.

I have also had a Yamaha E473..It's a toy keyboard. I sold it within a month.
Do not buy it is my advice.
It's a cheap keyboard with poor features. I'll be honest. It's crap.

So back to the Tyros.
Bear in mind the following.

1. It's around 20 years old now.

2. Make sure the Host to USB socket is working.....This is MEGA IMPORTANT, because if it's not, then you will have no way to transfer files, because the Tyros 1 has NO other USB socket. But see 4. below.

3. You WILL need some floppy discs.

4. You CAN take out the hard drive, (very easy) and transfer files with a simple cable, so that might work for you.

I have the upgrade discs to V1.4 if you need them. All on floppy.

There should be plenty of spares around, but if it's been well looked after then you should be fine.

The manual is easy to obtain and very good.

Great keyboard and if you can get a deal with the speakers too, including the sub bass then go for it.

Hope that helps.

 

[anotherscott]

I've never played a Tyros 1. To compare sounds, I'd start by listening to youtube videos. But technically, you can see some differences in the specs that show how many Voices (instrument sounds) they have, of what type...

PSR-EW473: 820, consisting of 294 Panel Voices + 28 Drum/SFX kits + 40 Arpeggio + 458 XGlite Voices

Tyros: 1185, consisting of 403 voices (Normal: 393 + Mega: 10) + 10 Organ Flutes voices + 480 XG voices + 256 GM2 voices + 31 drum kits (XG and Panel: 22 + GM2: 9) + 5 SFX kits

and

PSR-EW473: 3 Live! Voices, 9 Sweet! Voices, 6 Cool! Voices, 14 Super Articulation Lite Voices

Tyros: 22 Live! Voices, 14 Sweet! Voices, 18 Cool! Voices

(Both have about 300 styles.)

But sounds aside, the obvious relative negatives of the Tyros are portability (weight), no styles specifically for anything post 2002 (though I don't know what's available to load into it?), need to use external speakers, antiquated storage, and potential reliability/serviceability for something that old. OTOH, even just based on what I see in the manual, functionally, it is in an entirely different league from the PSR-E473. The screen (much better navigation), the action (with aftertouch), mod wheel, the connectivity, the sequencer, the polyphony, the vocal harmonizer, the quantity of available effects, the more extensive set of intro/variation/ending buttons, the better registration system for quick patch recall (banks of 8 named registrations with direct bank navigation vs. banks of 4 unnamed registrations which can only be navigated in ascending order), 3 upper parts (vs. 2), and as listed above, simply more voices (also the megavoice and organ flutes additions). Though the PSR does have some enhancements of its own as well.

For connecting to a computer, I would not count on any Tyros driver working on any current computer, though from what I saw in the manual, it looks like most (if not all) of the data transfer can also be done over its 5-pin MIDI jacks, and you can get a 5-pin-MIDI-to-USB adapter pretty cheaply.

FWIW, I briefly had the PSR-EW425 (73 key version of the PSR-EW473), and like Bouncingogre, I sold it within a month. I think I'd enjoy a Tyros, though!

If you decide against the Tyros for whatever reason, overall, I think the Casio CT-S500 is a better board than these PSRs, I kept that one. It's not one of my main boards, which are generally higher end, but it still has its uses. Bottom line there is that I find it more enjoyable than the PSR, in playability and general operation. (I never looked at their styles, so I have no opinion there.)

 

[Bouncingogre]

Some more good points there.

One thing I should have mentioned.
The Tyros 1 was introduced in the same sort of era as Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows XP.
Also everything is in 32 bit format, NOT the current 64 Bit . The two rates are NOT compatible, so pick up an old PC

I keep an old PC at home with Windows 98 and Windows 2000 on it.

Lastly, at the time I sold my Tyros 1 I had over 3000 styles available, plus hundreds more on floppy disc.
Basically anything with .STY format will play on it.

Tyros 1 is a very awesome play, and was a really advanced keyboard in it's time.

 

[Biggles]

For what it is worth I think a 20 year old Tyros will sound vastly superior to any E series.

Downside is the age of the electronics.

 

[trebleclef]

Thankyou everyone for your response.

I have decided to go with the tyros. Its in immaculate condition.

I'm not too bothered about all the bells and whistles but I think the sound quality will be far better than the PSR although you can never really tell unless you can compare them side by side.

I'm not noo bothered about storage. Happy enough to play factory styles. I don't really use registration memory even. I just choose a style and voice and play away.

I would like to factory reset it but it looks like I need some system file to do a complete reset.

Only thing it didn't come with is the manual but it has the speaker system with the bass speaker and music rest and attachments for the little speakers.

Thanks again for your comments.

Gary.

 

[Bouncingogre]

Well done. Enjoy.

I promise you the sound is worlds ahead of the E473.

I wouldn't even bother trying to Factory reset it.
The previous owner may well have loaded all sorts of extra styles, registrations etc on it, all of which you would lose.

Just play and enjoy.

Keith

 

[trebleclef]

Ok.

Thanks again for your input.

Kind regards,

Gary.

 

[4music]

Greetings Gary - I still use my bought from new Tyros 1 and continue to love it.

The only problems I have had with it are keys not working due to dust/wear and needing to be cleaned (lots of Youtube guidance) or replacement with keyboard contact strips that are getting harder to find if needed. Also replaced floppy disc drive belt. Otherwise no other issues and I am very happy with it despite trying out modern top of line PSR SX replacement.

The sequencer and sampler facilities continue to meet my recording and live requirements and some of the sounds (e.g. choir, sax, pads) are nearly equal to Modern top PSR models - I would only recommend replacing the floppy drive with a SSD.

I also echo my hobby horse - I have recently purchased a Medeli AKX10 to replace a Casio WK arranger on my duo keyboard setup. I also love this board and it costs not much more than Yamaha entertainer series. It has technology equal to the PSR SX 900 although lesser factory sounds that can be dramatically improved by tweaking, replacing - or doubling up with a Tyros .

 

[trebleclef]

Hi. Yes it seems to be a bargain for £260 as it is in mint condition. Keys and buttons failing does worry me as I can't repair them myself and where I live, I don't know anyone that could repair it for me.

I will be happy if I can get a bit of use out of it for a couple of years.

The styles and sounds seem very good to my ears and it is easy to use. No searching through menus. Can just switch on and choose a style and sound and play away.

Cheers

Gary.

 

[Powerkeys]

Should be a real bargain indeed...Here in the Netherlands they sell for about €300 and over...Since the used Genos gen 1 is more around on the common websites like, Craigslist and Ebay, Marktplaats, etc.. they become more available...I also rather had a PSR 9000, then any E series Yamaha....

I still have the upgrade floppy to V3 package, for the PSR 9000, including a 20GB Hardisk.


Greetings from the Netherlands....Enyoy it, it is a great board!

 

[trebleclef]

I once had a PSR8000 and then a 9000Pro, which I had to sell. They we're both good but the contact strip under the keys on the 8000 had to be replaced regularly and it once froze on me. The 9000Pro never had any problems though during the time I owned it. I see you have a PSR SX700. That looks like a great keyboard. The SX600 also looks like a decent little keyboard for the price.

Greeting to you as well,

Regards,

Gary.

 

[Bouncingogre]

I owned 2x PSR SX700 keyboards and they are, I think, one of the best arranger keyboards I've owned. Great all rounders, and with good features.

However, Yamaha have still not sorted out this keypad contact / rattle issue, which has reared its head on a number of models, and for the present I'm reluctant to buy Yamaha products.

I think a lot of the issues arose when Yamaha moved a lot of their production from Japan to other countries. The build standard just isn't as good, and quality control is obviously nothing like as tough as it is in Japan.

When Yamaha can build an arranger with a good quality case, like on the Tyros range, I may be interested again, but atm their present models are a long, long way from the excellence of my Korg Pa5X.
Great sounds deserve a great case.
Plastic doesn't cut it for higher priced keyboards.

 

[trebleclef]

In the past, I've owned a Roland G800 and G1000, which we're solid workhorses for many years, the only thing was that some of the buttons became harder to press, but still worked. The actual keybed never once failed and they we're transported in soft carry bags and took quite a few knocks at times. The down side was that they we're heavy to carry around.

 

[Powerkeys]

A PSR 9000, or 9000 Pro, is nothing to take a walk with....They are heavy as well, The Pro is a 76 keys board, that's so heavy,you want to leave it where it is...