2. music
  3. 1229831897

How to reproduce sound of piano


I currently own a decent rig, Mac MA 2275, AP Sparks, Marantz 8001, Rega Apollo, Benchmark DAC w/ Squeezebox Duet. I love the way it sounds with jazz, voice, orchestral works and also it's decent with chamber music.

But I find when I'm listening to piano solo performances it doesn't quite sound nearly good as the live instrument. This is too bad because I mainly listen to classical piano works. I want to build a new system from scratch dedicated to listen to solo piano works as well as piano conertos.
I don't care for "warmth", "timbre", "soundstage" or other loaded audiophile terms. Just want absolutely accurate piano reproduction as possible.

What qualities should I look for? Analog vs digital source. Solid state vs tube amp? I find my tube amp unable to keep up with technical masters as Pollini or Horowitz. But will going to SS take away from the performces of more romantic pianists like Kempf and Zimerman? As for speakers, I never heard of a speaker capable of reproducing the deep bass of a 9ft+ concert Steinway grand. Are electrostatics way to go? My budget is around $25K USD. Thanks for any feedback.
plaser
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Try ATC active speakers and a JL 113 sub or SVS PB13 Ultra (with the ports
blocked) - I guarantee it will get you pretty darn close. Piano is not easy as it
is both percussive (110 db dynamics) and has precise timbre as well as a
presence (like a harp) from the resonance of the unplucked strings (needs
super low IMD distortion and very low Q speaker on low notes). It also
requires a speaker with wide even dispersion or it will not sound natural. You
definitely need a sub though for a convincing grand at your price point. The
speaker designer was a professional pianist and this seems evident in how
the design handles piano.

[quote] Are electrostatics way to go? [/quote]

For midrange clarity yes but for realistic dynamics and LF response - no. Let
me say you need a very clean waterfall plot. If you go dynamic then try
damped drivers (paper/pulp or soft/woven fabric - designs that do not ring -
as you want to hear the piano strings resonate not the sound of the speaker
driver)
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I agree with Dlanselm - a player piano is really the only way to go, but obviously your choice of source material is severely limited. By way of reference, even the hyper-sampled digital keyboard software like Ivory or Virtual Steinway isn't completely convincing through a superior stereo system - though it's better to my ear than the best SACDs (which are next in my pecking order).

I also agree with Shadorne that a subwoofer is probably a good idea. If you scan these threads you'll find lots of good info on subs from Shadorne, Bob Reynolds, Drew Eckhard and a few others who are well informed on the subject. As to main speakers, timber & dynamics are both critical it's hard to find speakers that are great in both areas.

MBLs offer great dynamics, but they strike me as compromised in tonal balanced. Conversely, he smaller Ohms are omnis that mate well with subs and IMHO reproduce timbre exceptionally well. However, they lack the dynamics you're seeking. I haven't heard the bigger models but, they might be worth checking out. Ohm sells factory direct and money back, so your bet is hedged.

Best of luck.

Marty
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Your room is a little on the small side for huge fullrange dipoles, or I would suggest that route.

Still, could be a couple that will "mostly work"...(they lack only the deepest bass).

These go against the side walls, with the slots facing each other. (you can add a single large sub, or a couple of small subs).

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1233281376&/Beveridge-Model-3

PS....I don't know the seller

Dave
martykl
3,578 posts
 
BTW,

A very nice Yamaha baby grand with disclavier will run app $10K - maybe half that for a used model. If you have room, you may want to consider this idea. You'll have a beautiful piano, a good selection of music available (not what you'd ideally want, but good) and a fair bit of cash left for a fine stereo. If you really want a 9' Steinway, that's another story...

Marty
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
I agree with Shadorne on the ATC Actives. Very convincing in their reproduction, and because they are active, you can buy a minimal amount of gear to support them. I prefer Bryston solid state pre-amps with them and you could keep or enhance your source components.

If you wish to migrate to a warmer, tube sound: Two other tube systems that sound great are top-of-line Opera speakers with Unico Research tube components, or the new Harbeth 40.1 speakers with a good Japanese tube company (audition Leben, Shindo or Almarro.)
More to discover