Re MMD 041120 and the comparison made by Brian Thornton between
a PianoDisc and a Duo-Art.  Brian is clearly not impressed with the
PianoDisc, but I wonder if it's the musical source rather than the
PianoDisc.

I've developed MIDI files of some 1400 Ampico rolls and until
recently, was able to play the same files on my PianoDisc (6'6" Yamaha)
and my Ampico (Knabe 5'4").  I've now replaced the PianoDisc with
a larger Disklavier (7'8" Yamaha), so in effect I can compare the
performances of all three.  The result is they all have a similar
dynamic range, they trill and repeat in a similar fashion, they pedal
in much the same way, and ultimately produce good sounding piano music.

The PianoDisc and Disklavier have the added advantage of being more
silent than the Ampico during playing.  The Disklavier, being a larger
piano, also has a more sonorous bass.  But, by and large, it's often
difficult to tell whether it's the Ampico or the Disklavier (PianoDisc)
playing.

So, in my opinion, Brian might find the PianoDisc can deliver the goods
if he tries Andreas Klein playing the Rigoletto Paraphrase or something
similar.  But stay away from some of the PianoDisc popular stuff;
I find it somewhat ordinary.

Peter Phillips
New South Wales
http://members.optushome.com.au/eleced/index.htm