I played CVP309 and it sounds no better than a PSR3000 or Tyros. I believe that CVP keyboards are missing the 4 pad buttons that trigger sounds or sequences, why exclude them ? CVP line is beautiful and fun for the whole family but strictly for home use and overpriced (comparing to it's portable counterparts). Plus, based on the price, you will never be satisfied with the actual piano sound compared with the real thing. I think that there are 3 ways to approach this based on the budget and needs.

1. Most economical solution. Yamaha P-250 digital piano and PSR3000 on top will give you the same capabilities that CVP line (plus pitch bend / mod wheels) for about $3500. Minus beautiful look of course. You will be able to take PSR3000 out as well.

2. All in one solution. Not portable. Beautiful for the home. Not a real grand piano sound. No pitch bend or mod wheel. CVP307 or CVP309. I think they start at $6000 and up.

3. No compromise solution. Yamaha upright or baby grand MIDI pianos. These are real instuments with real piano strings plus MIDI out plus ability to silence the strings. That plus PSR3000 or Tyros next to it (or on top of the baby grand) will give you the best of both worlds. I think that Yamaha MIDI upright goes for about $7500 + $1500 PSR3000 but this combo will be money best spend in my opinion baased on the piano sound and feel alone. Plus the portability of the PSR3000.

Hope this helps.