I have managed to try a Tyros 3 today at a music store in Belgium (where I am temporarily working) and now I have mixed feelings about it.
I've spend about an hour trying the keyboard, which was hooked to the Tyros TRS-MS02 speakers (the same I am using in my Tyros 2 at home, so the sound quality was compared with a similar output).
In my opinion (and please note that I am an amateur, who plays at home for self entertainment and enjoyment after normal working days), the improvement from Tyros 2 to Tyros 3 is not so evident as some have reported here (and I read this forum every single day...).
I appreciated the layout, key bed quality and specially the display (the biggest improvement in my opinion). The new SA2 voices are ok, but sound availability is not a concern for me as I have other sources with good and enough sounds (like the G70, Triton, SY-85 and Sonic Cell).
I was expecting some improvement in the overall sound quality and the new drum sets, but besides the new SA2 and some synth and pad voices I couldn’t see any improvement. I left the store with the impression that the sound was very similar to what I already have with the Tyros 2.
My registrations (saved on a USB stick) worked smoothly, so I don't know what's the requirement for using the Tyros 2-Tyros 3 converter made available by YPKO. All my old styles worked well.
The new multi-pads from Tyros 3 can be used in Tyros 2, but the styles are not compatible (my Tyros 2 reports "Data hasn't been loaded properly").
If the new Tyros 3 had the equivalent to my G70 make-up tools (which allows me to manipulate the styles to a big extent) and the possibility to individually select octaves for the UP1, UP2 and UP3 voices (like in the G70), I would probably trade my Tyros 2 with a Tyros 3.
But now I am not so sure if I will change it.
And here comes my request for your usually honest and sound advice:
The price of the Tyros 3 in Belgium is 3499 Euros and they would trade my Tyros 2 for 1000 Euros. At the end, I would have to pay 2499 Euros.
Do you think this is a good trade, or should I keep my Tyros 2 (which sounds good enough to my ears when compared with the Tyros 3) and save the money to buy a PA800 when I will return to my home country next year (where I have seen a P800 in a store for 1800 Euros)?
Your advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Carlos
[This message has been edited by Swissman (edited 10-25-2008).]