[RoadTripper]

I went to a grandson's piano recital Sunday. Kids from 6-16 playing on a 9' grand in a medium to small sized room. I re-discovered the huge gap between audio reproduction and the real thing. I was sitting back about 25 feet and yet the sound coming out of that piano was enormous. The bass was like I was being carried along by a tidal wave. The treble was like flying darts. This was the case even when the pianists were 7 years old.

[1000a]

thanks for the benchmark - by reminding us of the reality of 1 instrument's range and body in real life.

[TheChairGuy]

Yes, piano music is what I use regularly for component evaluation purposes.

I've yet to find a CDP / DAC that reproduces it accurately/like real music (this isn't a bitch-slap at CD, it's just what I've found).

Nor have I found a belt drive turntable do it right either (especially during peak spl piano moments)...pitch stability/speed control  of those won't allow fully accurate re-production.

Only (thus far) a direct drive table with either moving iron or moving magnet (to my ears) has reproduced it as it sounds live. 

Again, no toes intended to be stepped upon with this post, this is just what I've found over time.  Piano (and some violin, flute and other high-frequency instruments) just can't be reproduced as well with CD versus vinyl. 

I am thinking along lines of non-OS DAC now, tho, to give CD a fair shake at it