My contribution to this thread perfectly supports gary's approach...

Several years ago, I did research on various keyboards. I printed out several different owners manuals, browsed user forums, mfg. websites, etc. I made a good effort to educate myself about my options. I wound up purchasing a Korg Triton Pro-x 88.

I never touched one until I unpacked it at my home. (There were none anywhwere in the Dayton/Cincy area...)

Within a weeks time, I learned a great deal about that keyboard including that A) The piano sounds, even tweaked, IMO were brutal...and B) I had to get rid of it.

My next purchase of a high end kb, the original Tryos, occurred only after I drove 3 hours to Ft. Wayne, IN to Sweetwater Music and sat with and explored the Tyros for 3+ hours in their keyboard department.

(I bought that KB from George Kaye, as well as a few others over the years...)

That Tyros now serves as my back up board to my Tyros 2.

Truth be told, research and familiarity with the Tyros line gave me confidence when I bought the T2. Switching from the T1 to the T2 was fairly straightforward and I had no major problems at all.

The Tyros arrangers made a huge impact on my music...I love playing them and for my money's worth, they're the best on the market.

So, under some circumstances, I suppose you risk much less than others...

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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 12-16-2008).]