<HTML>List, Though I agree with most everything being said about digitals verses acoustics...I must say, I'm the proud owner of a Technics Digital piano...And I put on my flame suit so say what you will! ;-) I just thought I'd tell you all my reasons for buying it and why I was the "ideal' example of who's buying them. First off, I grew up playing an acoustic and playing my teacher's Steinway B. Then...once I reached 18 and got out on my own I moved a long way from home and I wasn't able to take the piano. Inevitably I missed it a lot and spent several dreamy days walking around the local piano showroom. Well, as you might imagine I did not have much money and was not in a position to pay for anything good...Then I saw the Technics digital...well, at first I thought I'd never buy one of those, they can't possibly be good enough...but when I actually decided to play it, to really listen and try it. I was shocked. These pianos were much better than I ever thought they would be. The touch was realistic and the sound was as well. BTW, my model has 4 speakers and they are fairly powerful. Now, why wouldn't I buy one when I couldn't get another? 1. Great price (although I realize they don't retain value very well) 2. Portable and lite-weight (easy for me to move by myself) 3. Realistic touch and sound 4. Features. (recording ability, mixing, transposing, changing key response with             the touch of a button, different sounds, silent playing with headphones) 5. Much less upkeep (no tuning, voicing, regulating, etc. Good for money strapped people like myself! ;-) 6. Good looks. (no exposed wires and not black. Nice simulated cherry finish) Yes, some of these features are available on a modern modified acoustic piano but they are much more costly. Yes, I would definately rather have a Steinway, Masin & Hamlin, Yamaha, or some other quality piano with all those cool digital add-ons but that is totally unrealistic. It will be many years before I can even think of buying something like that...Yes, a quality acoustic that has been taken care of is way ahead of a digital, but not THAT far ahead. I agree with you all that a digital does not belong in a concert hall or some other such venue. I would NOT pay money to go watch someone play a digital. But it was perfect for me, and thousands of other people across the nation. People like me, or people that just want their child to get a little exposure to music, not knowing if they will continue. It's a great alternative. My 2 cents....haha Caleb</HTML>