Kawai DX500 info needed

[lparsons21]

I'm in the market again for another organ and ran across this one close and cheap.  That is two very nice things to have happen.</p>

I downloaded the owners manual, but don't know much about it.  Can someone give some facts and opinions about this one?</p>

 thanks</p>

 </p>

[andyg]

Re: Kawai DX500 info needed



The DX500 was the smallest of the first generation of all digital organs from Kawai. In fact they were the first all digital home organs from anyone! It dates from 1982. My input to this series involved the specifications, but they were very much 'digitalised' versions of the last models in the E series. As for the tone quality, we said what we wanted and the designers and engineers came up with the best that they could.</P>


It has very smooth flutes and a real leslie built in. The strings are a bit clinical and sharp but there should be a very effective Brilliance control to tame them down a little. Add the Orchestra Ensemble effect and they'll blend quite well with the flutes. There are a handful of percussion voices that work on either upper or lower manual and these are quite useful. The piano is a bit bright though. The DX500 has quite a basic auto rhythm section and is not PCM based. It's not that good, to be honest.</P>


All things considered, it's not a bad old stick, but Kawai's earliest digital organs suffered from a slightly clinical overall sound.</P>


Andy</P>

[lparsons21]

Re: Kawai DX500 info needed



Thanks for the info Andy.</p>

 From your description, it sounds like it wouldn't be a bad addition, just not a great one.  But at less than $150, I may just pop for it.</p>

 Would I be better in the Kawai line just waiting for an SR5, 6 or 7 to come up at a great price somewhere?</p>

 </p>

[andyg]

Re: Kawai DX500 info needed

[quote user="lparsons21"]


Would I be better in the Kawai line just waiting for an SR5, 6 or 7 to come up at a great price somewhere?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">[/quote]</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Yes, waiting for one of my 'babies' would be worth it. [Y] Third generation digital, and the only digital organs that used pure dynamic additive synthesis rather than samples. SR6/7 are the better choices - bigger spec and a real leslie - but the SR5 is usually a bargain price.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Andy</P>

[lparsons21]

Re: Kawai DX500 info needed

[quote user="andyg"]<p mce_keep="true">Yes, waiting for one of my 'babies' would be worth it. [Y] Third generation digital, and the only digital organs that used pure dynamic additive synthesis rather than samples. SR6/7 are the better choices - bigger spec and a real leslie - but the SR5 is usually a bargain price.</p><p mce_keep="true">Andy</p>

[/quote]</p>

Currently on Ebay here in the US, there are 3 Kawais.  An SR6 @$2100 that is now just ending that got no bids, I expected that.  Another SR6 @$375 with one bid, but 4 days+ to go.  I expect it to probably go up some more.  Unfortunately this one is a bit far to go to get and would make the pick up cost be a bit more than I want to spend.</p>

There is an SR7 that has a starting price of $700 down in Florida.  </p>

 I've got these on my watch list.  One of the things I've found out about the Kawais is that getting an owners manual is pretty easy as Kawai has them in PDF.  I downloaded both the SR 5/6/7 and DX-500 manuals.</p>

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