Korg SV-2 73

I owned the Korg D1 for almost 2 years before pulling trigger on this one, so I knew that I would like the keybed and from all the demos I was certain that the sound is top-class. I wasn't disappointed, SV-2 plays and sounds like a dream, electric-pianos are very lifelike and every variation sounds unique. There are not many sounds overall, but I dare to say that it is the first keyboard I had where all of them are perfectly usable. I am certain that this is the piano that will accompany me for many, many years.

What I like:
• Design, it looks much better in person than on photos
• Sounds
• Every option is accessible via physical knobs and buttons, no menus
• Playing with different effects is just so fun
• Connection options, MIDI, XLR
• Build quality, top part of the casing is made from metal

What I don't like:
• Sustain pedal is just ok
• Launch time is quite long, it takes around 30 seconds after switching Korg on for it to be ready to play
• There is no straight surface to place any synths on top, I'd love to pair Yamaha Reface YC with Korg
• It literally weighs a ton, I can't see myself carrying it for every band practice, but keeping in mind how well it is built I'd say it's justified

TL;DR
This piano plays and feels great but may not be the best for your back

I expected top-notch tine electric piano sounds and they are great. FM pianos, strings/orchestral sounds are better than I expected. Reed electric pianos are also good. Acoustic pianos with warm character. Many "hidden" sounds which you can access via editor, much more than 72 panel sounds!

Strengths:
- all built-in sounds are even, good quality
- one of the best of hammer-action key actions in 73/76-key boards, in any price range (Korg RH3), has long pivot length for a digital instrument
- great possibilities of sound editing - with hands-on panel knobs and buttons and much deeper via editor
- totally seamless transition between presets (when volume levels are same and amp section is off)
- instrument is sturdy (metal housing, MDF bottom, cheeks are plastic but appear sturdy, too) and unique looking

Little weaknesses or limitations:
- DS-2H sustain pedal could be higher quality (its housing), but works well, there is also possible to use DS-1H as alternative
- sound transition from one preset to the other is not so seamless when volume levels aren't same (but the sound does not cut out like in some other instruments!)
- layers of sound are routed to the whole effects chain, not individual effects, so you cannot put different effects on different layers, but you can bypass a whole FX chain on layers individually. It is enough for most situations.

If those little limitations aren't deal-breakers for you, I strongly recommend SV-2 as simple to use and very warm sounding stage piano, oriented for classic and vintage sounds - tine pianos in particular.