Yamaha DX5
The DX5 is basically a double barreled DX7 - a DX7 squared. It is a six octave synth with two DX7 synth engines. It is also more fun to use because it has more buttons to play with, a true benchmark of a quality instrument. Of interest to note it sports three balanced XLR outs in addition to the 3 unbalanced 1/4" outs - one for each synth engine and a mono mix out. By looking at the above picture one can easily tell this is one big monster. Produced in the mid 80's as the replacement to the even bigger DX1 flagship.
Average Advertised Price:
$420 to $900
Jetboy's Humble Opinion Of Worth:
Considering it's two DX7s and a six octave keyboard of similar feel and quality as the KX76 I believe it to be worth at least $550 to $600 since one DX7 goes for around $350 and a KX76 goes for around $500 or more.
Jetboy's Review - A really cool synth. Not as fun as an analog knobmaster, but worth some tweaking. Not as practical as a TX-802 or as portable as a DX7, but alot of character. I also own a KX76 which I love and only keep around because of it's great keyboard feel, and the DX5 has a keyboard that is almost identical.
AdamT gives us the low down funk on this funky synth: Heavy, Noisy and cumbersome. I gigged a DX5 for a number of years and wished it was a 7 on many occasions. I eventually sold it and got a DX7-IIFD which offers the Bitimbrality and big screen in a smaller, quiter, lighter package though half the polyphony and only 5-octaves. I liked the DX5`s key action (typical Yamaha) but the extra octave wasn`t worth the weight increase I`m afraid. if you want plenty of early 6-operator DX, get a TX816, you get the power of 4 DX5s in a 4u rackmount for not a lot more money, has to be edited from a computer (or DX7) but my FM programming days are long over. (Jetboy says "Amen, Brother!")
Image from Yamaha promotional literture.