You guys have been a big help. I've been wrestling with this for quite a while now. Everytime I go to demo it, I can't bring myself to get excited over the sound. So it's NOT my imagination. Forgot to mention, I spoke to the head of one of the Roland factories in Europe, and he told me the same thing about the sounds. He remembers the older Rolands. The sounds were grittier and had more bite to them because the wave forms were not digital in those days. He prefers the older keyboard sounds himself.

Dave: I think the dedicated Roland digital pianos probably have a great piano sound, but this one on the G-70 doesn't have the same quality piano patch (as the dedicated pianos).

Rolandfan: good info...can someone expand on the "bells & whistles"

Mike: that's a great letter you wrote. Thanks for taking the time for all that info, particularly the 2nd paragraph (In general, I am not very satisfied, etc) That has swayed me more than anything. Up to this point, I thought I was losing part of my hearing since everyone raves about the Fantom sound engine in there. I'd still like to get info on this mysterious E-80 before I'm tempted to start looking at the Tyros. Has anyone heard it, and....I can't seem to get the phone # for the factory in Italy. Not the administrative offices, the actual factory. Anyone have it? By the way, Italy told me the target date was June or July for distribution.

[This message has been edited by Lucky2Bhere (edited 04-22-2006).]