Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

I got to compare these two kits on sheer playability today, and I 
feel compelled to say that I absolutely love the Yamaha (notice how I 
avoided direct comparison--not that I don't have a favorite). I like 
to think that my mind is open, but I can safely say that I didn't 
expect a rubber kit ever to tickle my fancy again. But was I ever 
wrong. The new TP-100 and 120 pads are astonishing--right down to the 
rims. Out of the box, I'd take them hands down over the stock Roland 
mesh pads. Put the old Hart two-plies on those Rolands, and the 
contest gets closer. But the Yamahas are so good, why bother? And to 
all of those people who plan to ditch the DTXT rubber pads in favor 
of the Hart Pro pads, I put the same question. They may have strong 
reasons, but from my perspective, they aren't obvious.  If the look 
of acoustics is what's missing, more power to you. I'm as stodgy as 
they come in that dept. When it comes to simulating the feel of 
acoustics, my position was always that the e-drum that best 
approximates the physical design of an acoustic drum/head will 
automatically play better. Now I'm not so sure. The Yamahas are that 
good; they drive a serious wedge between feel and looks. Even if the 
appearance of the woven-head pads still flips your skirt on a level 
field, when price, pad control, and upkeep (no more busted heads) 
enter the equation, the Yamaha is tough to beat--at least for those 
of us for whom money is an object. 

Maybe this topic will stimulate Vern's old thread about the extent to 
which e-drums are obligated to resemble their acoustic cousins. As 
far as I'm concerned, the DTXT2S is worth another debate on that 
topic, and I've barely scratched the surface on such module-only 
factors as ergonomics and sounds.

Ed