Is Yamahas top of the line YAS875EX really top?

[aneider]

Does anybody in this forum already have experiences with Yamahas new topsax YAS 875EX.
A first test on http://www.saxophones.co.uk/alto_sax_tests.htm
says that it is like "smooth silk in a sax" and that it tops all the qualities of the Custom82Z, especially that it sounds "very MarkVI ish".
I would like to know if anybody compared it to Keilwerths SX90R newsilver or Yanasigawas A992. Which of these Saxes has the most warmth and smoothest sound? (My shining example is the sound of Paul Desmond.)

Thanks for anybodies answer
Andreas

[averageschmoe]

at that point it really becomes a feel issue. you are just as able to get the sound you get on all of the horns listed and more, but the one that plays easiest and gets out of your way most is the horn to buy. something like 90% of your sound is how you put the air to your fingers, your physical characteristics, what you had for breakfast... the other ten percent is made up of mpc, reed, ligature, horn adjustment, bore/tonehole placement, the instrument's intonation tendencies... in other words, don't believe the hype. and if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[aneider]

"but the one that plays easiest and gets out of your way most is the horn to buy."

Thanks for your answer. So what, which one would you recommend?

Andreas

[averageschmoe]

that depends on you. when looking at horns i kept coming back to the 875's. ergonimically for me they're the best fit, and for me they play the best intonation. you'll find others who'll say the same thing about every other manufacturer. which horn is top is really subjective.