Roland (VA-3) Got another question from someone that I can't answer..

Got another question today which I can't answer so I'm posting it here. Had someone ask me about the Roland VA-3. They played the Casio WK series (hated the sound), Played PSR-9000 (loved it, but couldn't afford the keyboard), Played the PSR-550 (loved the sound and price)... This person wanted to know how the VA-3 will compare to the PSR-550 in regards to price and sound quality. I have never played the VA-3 so I can't answer this question for him... Anyone know this one?

Thanks,
Squeak

Tell them to check out the Ketron X series they wont be disapointed the sound and features are excellent.

X series is way out of his price range. He liked the PSR-550's sounds, but the look and touch screen of the VA-3 caught his attention. He likes the PSR-550, but doesn't really care for the body design, and build quality. I told him if he liked the 550, he should take a look at the PSR-1000. He's looking to spend under $1,000..... For under $1,000 I suggested the Yamaha PSR-550, PSR-640/740, PSR-1000, Roland EM-55, and the Casio MZ-2000 (if he can find one).... He's interested in the VA-3, but I have no idea what that thing costs or even sounds like..

Squeak

Squeak,
Price: The Roland VA3 is much more expensive then the PSR550. Found these prices on a uk site: PSR550 L449, VA3 L899. I believe this is in pounds sterling. Double the price!!
Sound quality: Never tried the va3, but tried out the EM55, which is suppose to have the same soundset (and wave ROM size). Has 3500 sounds (quantity not quality). I prefer Roland pianos, but that's subjective. The VA3 would not be able to compete head to head with any of the PSR550 sweet voices. The EM55 is less expensive then the VA3, (EM55 aprox $1100 CDN), but I chose the PSR550 ($850 CDN). I was frankly very disappointed with the Roland. I made my decision on value not necessarily on price, although I have financial constraints. I would have paid the extra $250 CDN if it was clearly superior, it wasn't. I noticed something strange when turning on the DSP rotary organ sim, the sound seemed to go out of tune upon initial start-up of the DSP. This doesn't happen with the PSR550.
The VA3 has the touch screen. If he is interested in sound quality and likes the Roland sounds, why not go for the EM55 ( no touch screen though)?
Starkeeper

I think you can get a PSR2000 for under $1000. US. I know where you can get a used one for that for sure.
DonM

I posted a reply to this question this morning, but now it is gone......I'll do it again.
The VA3 was discontinued here in the USA about 8 months ago. At the end, the price was $795.00 US dollars at my store. The VA3 was really good for the price, but at it's original price of $1395.00 it was not a great value. It is the same as the VA7 except it doesn't have the VA7/76 really good piano sound. It also had a less impressive display. It had a grey and white look as compared to the VA7/76's blue screen. However, it still had all the other VA7 sounds and a good 16 track sequencer and style sequencer. The keys don't feel as good as the VA7 and the speaker system was less powerful. A more similar product to the VA3 would be the Yamaha PSR2000. Both have 64 voice polyphony, the PSR550 only has 32 and there are 4 variations per style on the PSR2000, the VA3 has 4 size bands with 2 variations in each. The PSR550 only has 2 variations.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

I have used a friend's PSR-550 on a number of occasions and have decided that it doesn't really have the frequency bandwidth of pro level keyboards I have used over the years. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy playing with the PSR-550 as it packs in a lot of great features for the price. But it doesn't really have a very dynamic sound. High frequencies seem very smeared and it gets much worse when sounds are layered together. I am not sure whether this is due to a cheap DA converter or some other phasing problem. My 10 year old JV-880 still provides much more dynamic frequency response.

The PSR-550 is tremendous value and is a lot of fun but the sound seems to be compromised somehow. I guess this is why Yamaha can sell it for under $500.

Nigel,
I agree with you about the 550. For the money it can't be beat, but there were quite a few compromises made as well. You're right about the high frequencies too.. That also applies to the low frequencies as well. Most of the sounds are only good towards the middle of the keybed, and the higher and lower you go, the sound just gets worse. Even in areas it shouldn't. The saxes are a good example. In the lower octaves where you should have a good sounding note because it's within the "true instrument range", they notes are really slurry, and don't sound very good.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 01-29-2003).]