Yamaha PSR-S500 or Roland E50 or what?

Hi, everyone. I'm new to this forum, so please stay with me here.

I'm not a complete newbie, but I'm still green, at least compared to some of the pros who contribute to this forum. I currently have a Yamaha PSR-295 that I enjoy a lot ... but I'm looking to upgrade it.

What +'s I'm looking for in relation to the 295: better sound, better amps & speakers, more and better styles, ease of use, etc.

I don't do the MIDI stuff, too old to learn all the jazz, I just want to get my EZ-Play books and entertain myself, family and friends. I have no desire to compose music, and all that sequencing jazz.

So ...Should I keept my 295 and shut up ... or is there something better out there that will be a significant improvement over what I currently have. I have been looking around quite a bit, and it seems that the new Yamaha PSR-S500 and the Roland E50 would fit the bill quite nicely. I think the Yamaha is cheaper but price aside, I'm looking for the 'experts' opinion. Given my profile and what I want to do with the board, was is the best investment for ME.

TIA for you help!

Best regards to all!

Oops, I forgot. When I "play", I use EZ-play books, I already told you that, but I also use Yamaha's Easy Chords - will these work the same way on the Roland or do Roland's Easy chords work differently? Naive questions, I know, and I'm blushing...

Thanks again. Have a nice day!

Uncle Ben..Do you sing? Do you need a mic input?
How about a vocal harmonizer..does that interest you?

Since you are comfortable with Yamaha...I think it may be fine if you stay with Yamaha..

If you sing and think a vocalizer would be interesting, there will be many PSR3000's available, because many are up grading..

They should be found easily under a $1,000..

If vocals are not important[not sure if mic input is on the S-500, but I think so]..the S500 may be a good choice..

I am a strong Roland fan, and I would always say go for the Roland..but in your situation and comfort zone..stay with a Yamaha..

Thank you Fran! Just the kind of advice I was looking for. And that's what I thought too, stay with Yamaha. Better the devil you know ... Can I sing? I think so, but nobody wants to hear it ... so I think I'm better off without the MIC. And given the price differential still between the 3000 and PSR-S500, I think I'll opt for the latter. Yes, if I could afford it, I'd sure go with the 3000, it has everything that the S500 has, plus plus plus... But from a budget standpoint, I think the S500 will do just fine. Thanks again.