How does solo piano help you evaluate audio gear?

@jjss49
Agree that the piano is hard to mic, and even in the presence of a piano, it really can throw such a complicated soundscape that it’s hard for any listener -- even a live one -- to judge what constitutes "the" sound of a piano, at least in terms of soundstage. Is the lid open? Is it closed? Where is the listener -- or the microphone -- ideally? It’s so much different in this regard than a more contained instrument such as a guitar or violin.

@arro222

Is it right? no. I’m as imperfect as he.
I am not wired to "turn the other cheek".

Apparently, you’ve got additional wiring. FWIW, glad to see you stuck around and that whatever petulance you perceived in my reaction turned out to not be quite enough to cause you to abandon the thread. (I apologize for my use of FFS. I will try to be nicer.) Glad you still have the will to contribute constructively. Good outcomes for us both, I think.

Piano (key), guitar, saxophone are three I listen for the most natural tone when testing different components, tubes, cables. Few recordings capture the piano well.

@decooney 

i would add cello and bowed bass

@jjss49 Spot on..Absolutely! :) It’s funny, over several years I focused on both of these instruments when dialing in lowest midrange frequency and bass drivers in my custom speakers. And the same again dialing in more musical subwoofers, finding the right drivers there too. Cello and bowed bass are amazing for sure, thanks for bringing these up, good thoughts!