Although I am unworthy to add contribution to this discussion, in
light of the prior postings, it seems to me that the room in which
a Violano is heard, and the distance at which the listener is standing,
contribute greatly to the impression the instrument might give.

Standing directly in front of the instrument with the door open,
watching the bows twirl, is much less desirable a place to listen from
than sitting in a comfortable chair five or six feet away with the
doors to the instrument closed.  Sometimes it seems like a decently
regulated instrument gets a bad review, partly because the listeners
ear is inside the case rather than being outside.

Brian Shaw