Magic Cables and Tubes

Forgot to mention, it's not just the violin but the skill and technique of the player as well (and don't forget the bow). These players are probably capable of coaxing some amazing things out of an ordinary violin.

Violins, like most wood instruments, need to be played a while to really see what's what in terms of personal preference as they are sort of "organic." A "first blush" test, although interesting, is nearly meaningless. Musicians good enough to play Strads would be using something else if something else sounded and felt better. Nobody really cares what violin a great musician is playing except the violinist, as the thing that matters is what is being played.

Wow Wolf, just like audio gear !

Audio gear has a "break-in" period of sorts...warm up, tubes settling in...etc...but wooden intruments change all the time due to humidity, how often they're played, how hard they're played, who sneezed on them and why...Also, comparing new violins to ONE Strad is silly, as that Strad has its own feel and vibe for sure and no two are the same. Interestingly, in the "collectable" guitar world, any mods or refinishing trashes the value, or at least diminishes it greatly regardles of the sound of the instrument, but old violins get neck resets, fingerboard changes and all sorts of stuff to help 'em through the ages usually with no harm to the monetary value of the instrument.