Squeak,
Price: The Roland VA3 is much more expensive then the PSR550. Found these prices on a uk site: PSR550 L449, VA3 L899. I believe this is in pounds sterling. Double the price!!
Sound quality: Never tried the va3, but tried out the EM55, which is suppose to have the same soundset (and wave ROM size). Has 3500 sounds (quantity not quality). I prefer Roland pianos, but that's subjective. The VA3 would not be able to compete head to head with any of the PSR550 sweet voices. The EM55 is less expensive then the VA3, (EM55 aprox $1100 CDN), but I chose the PSR550 ($850 CDN). I was frankly very disappointed with the Roland. I made my decision on value not necessarily on price, although I have financial constraints. I would have paid the extra $250 CDN if it was clearly superior, it wasn't. I noticed something strange when turning on the DSP rotary organ sim, the sound seemed to go out of tune upon initial start-up of the DSP. This doesn't happen with the PSR550.
The VA3 has the touch screen. If he is interested in sound quality and likes the Roland sounds, why not go for the EM55 ( no touch screen though)?
Starkeeper