As someone who is learning upright at the moment i might not be as qualified as some of the more experienced players, but here's my opinion, i was learning the NS NXT with the tripod supplied and found it leaving me feeling a little detached from the instrument, so i got the EPS and it does make you feel like you're actually playing an upright, first thing i noticed was the weight of the instrument and being able to move the instrument into a more natural position to play, so i am now enjoying playing more now, this is my limited opinion but i'm having more fun now so for me its well worth the money