Rolandfan, I think some people have "thin" and "compressed" mixed up.

The Yamaha sound is mildly compressed, of course, because it's clearly obvious that is the way Yamaha prefers to make their arrangers sound, and also the way their customers happen to like it, else everyone would be buying the only other really competitive brand, Korg, which, judging by the excellent sales records of all PSR (and Tyros) instruments, is not the case.

Why do all arrangers have to sound alike? All "workstations", digital pianos, synthesizers, don't have the same sound, do they?

Acoustic pianos, guitars, horns, violins? Each manufacturer strives for a characteristic sound, and each company/brand has it's dedicated followers/supporters/fanboys...whatever you want to call them.

Keyboards have Yamaha enthusiasts and Korg fanciers...guitars have Fender and Gibson fans...even automobiles have their BMW vs.Mercedes protagonists.

Some like the "uncompressed" sound (or "live" as some call it) of Korg, and some like Yamaha's smooth, detailed polished output (or "compressed" as some describe it)..obviously there is room for both types judging by the arranger sales success of the "big two", Korg and Yamaha.

Those not wanting the sound of the "big two" above, can still buy equally great arrangers from Ketron, Wersi, Roland.

Even when one company absorbs another, as when Yamaha took over Bosendorfer, the latter still retained it's characteristic, and highly marketable sound and design.

Nothing wrong with choice...just don't expect one arranger to "do it all"...ain't gonna happen.

Ian