Last evening I had a few minutes to spare, so I went to Craig
Brougher's web page, http://player-care.com/cb/page3.html , to listen
to the RealAudio file of his Duo-Art, converted from cross valve to
round valve.

I encourage any of you have not done so, to visit the page.  I would
hope that this demonstration could end, once and for all, the argument
over whether such a conversion can be successful, but sadly, I know
this won't be the case.  There are always those in this world whose
minds are already made up and who don't wish to be confused by facts.

Nevertheless, regardless of your position on the cross-valves/round
valves controversy, please do listen to this magnificent performance.
It is nearly impossible not to be awestruck.  This is how a reproducing
piano -- any reproducing piano -- should perform.

I suggest that you take the time to download the zip files and listen
to these two rolls that way.  Initially, I did not, but instead listened
to the streaming audio version.  Bad move.

My first thought was, "What an unpleasant sounding piano!"  My second
thought was, "Sheesh, Craig!  Why is the theme zero set to equal about
accompaniment power four?  You know better than that!"

It occurred to me that something must be wrong, since I know Craig
_does_ know much better than that, so I downloaded the zip files and
played them.  I have a very up-to-date computer, but noticed that the
streaming files were much smaller than the zip files and therefore
probably much more compressed.  Wow _- what a difference!

What a pleasure to hear a Duo-Art that I hadn't personally restored
play properly!  I could have happily listened to another hour's worth,
and I'm about the most critical and generally cantankerous person
I know.  I would hope too, that a few minutes of listening to this
performance would also give those who insist that the Duo-Art can't
play softly reason to re-think their positions.

Everyone - please listen to these audio files!

(Standard disclaimer - Craig had not begged, bribed, paid, pleaded,
coerced, cajoled or otherwise influenced my opinion in any manner, and
I am in no wise connected to his restoration business, nor to anyone
else's except my own.)

Dean Randall