May I respectfully join in the solenoid fray?  I own a Disklavier that
is installed in a two-year old Yamaha 6'7" grand.  It plays on and on,
endlessly and effortlessly, without error, without need for repair, and
without overheating.  It has provided me, my family, and friends a great
deal of joy.  It plays whisper-soft and crashingly-loud.  The dynamic
range surpasses anything I have ever been able to do with Ampico,
Duo-Art, or Welte systems, and I have been involved with player pianos
of all types, particularly reproducing mechanisms, for 40 years.

Previously, I had a Pianocorder solenoid system, and it was at best
nearly as good as the pneumatic reproducing systems, but after awhile,
the Pianocorder system needed considerable attention, and in any
circumstance, it could not record very well.

The Disklavier system is far superior.  It has proven to be completely
reliable in terms of playback, and as a recording mechanism it is
wonderful.  I have recorded a number of fine pianists and they are
pleased with the results.  I also use the Disklavier, in conjunction with
a finely-tuned Duo-Art Vorsetzer, to convert piano rolls to disc.  It is
impossible to tell one from the other except that the Disklavier system
is completely silent and void of any motor noise or vacuum background
noise.  It is also only two years old, but I have a friend who purchased
one of the first Yamaha Disklavier uprights, and that instrument has been
reliable over a number of years.

Incidentally,  I enjoy the new music on the Disklavier, as well as the
old music from piano rolls, from the early turn of the century through
ragtime, into the popular twenties and through the thirties, as well as
the classics made by famous composers and performers of the day.   I love
it all -- and why not?

Regards,

Tom Steuer