Were this a perfect world, every home would have an indoor swimming pool, basement movie theatre, and Yamaha Grand Piano. Unfortunately, most homes are subject to the real-world limitations imposed by space and budget. Scratch the pool and the theatre, but don't discount your dreams of owning a genuine Yamaha Grand; the Yamaha Arius YDP160 digital piano is an exquisite instrument in every respect, and it's as easy to own as it is to love.
The Feel Of A Piano-Building Tradition
Yamaha's been building acoustic grand pianos for over 100 years, and you can bet that their digital pianos benefit from the experience. The first place you'll notice the Arius's design pedigree is in its Graded Hammer Action keyboard. It recreates the weight, movement and natural resistance of an acoustic piano's mechanical keys. . . but that's not all. A piano's hammers, the elements that actually strike the strings, get bigger as you move from the right, treble side of a keyboard to the left, bass side. This results in a lighter, feathery touch on the high notes and bit more hefty the lower you play, and the Graded Hammer Action keyboard mimics this phenomenon. Even better, the YDP160 features the top-of-the-line Graded Hammer Effect keyboard. The keys on this piano are both quieter and faster-tracking than any other model in the Arius line, making the YDP160 a joy for both novice players and world-class pianists used to concert-hall instruments. Another subtle touch: the YDP160's half-damper action and three piano-style foot pedals. What is half-damper action? The damper is the mechanism on an acoustic piano which, when lifted away from the strings, amplifies the notes' sustain and prolongs the decay. Most digital pianos only offer an on/off damper function, but the YDP160 recreates the subtleties of a partially engaged damper for playing techniques that are every bit as expressive as when played on an acoustic instrument.
The Sound Of An Acoustic Piano
Yamaha knows what a piano is supposed to feel like, but more importantly, they know what it's supposed to sound like. The Arius is imbued with Yamaha's Advanced Wave Memory Dynamic Stereo Sampling, and recreates the most nuanced sonic elements of a world-class grand piano. Each note on the YDP160 keyboard was recorded at multiple volumes and playing styles, so that softer notes don't just sound quieter, they sound gentler. Likewise, louder notes don't just have more volume, they have more force and presence. The stereo sampling really brings out the richness of the Arius's sound; the sampled piano was recorded the same way you would hear it in person, so listening the the Arius is like being in the same room as one of the finest grand pianos ever made. On the YDP160, this sound is amplified by the piano's integrated stereo system and dual 20-watt amplifiers; plenty loud for small recitals and worship services, with no external amplification required.
Looks As Beautiful As It Sounds
This beautiful sound and sophisticated playability come packaged in a handsome, wooden housing (with matching bench!) that will grace your home with the same elegance and class an artisan grand piano would, but at a fraction of the size and cost. Not only does it give you everything an acoustic piano would, but the YDP160 is equipped with features not even the greatest grand pianos can lay claim to, and features that assist in learning, as well.
Inspiration For Students
The Metronome is the most fundamental of practice aids, and the Arius YDP160 has one on board. It also includes a digital recorder, so that students can hear themselves play--a huge incentive to self-improvement. Students who learn at an Arius can also play along with one of fifty pre-loaded songs. . . it's like having a piano tutor who's always available, and who doesn't charge by the hour! Add a dual headphone output, and you've got the perfect piano for lessons, with or without an instructor.
If you're ever looking for the right piano for your home, the Yamaha Arius YDP160 should be the first instrument you investigate. Even if you do have the space to fit a full-sized concert grand piano, the sound feel and extra features on the YDP160 are everything a real piano can offer, and more. It's the perfect instrument for students, experienced players, and piano lovers of all stripes.
