How does solo piano help you evaluate audio gear?

I do not feel you can use "one instrument" as an evaluator of gear.

Sound reproduction depends on engineering and design of the audio equipment itself.

I have heard realistic timbres of an instrument coming from one set of speakers that absolutely botched a plethora of other timbres.

@ hilde45

FFS?

really?

You asked:" How important is solo piano recordings to your evaluation of audio equipment -- in relation to, say, orchestra, bass, voice, etc.?"

I attempt to tell you that as an "evaluator" for sound, that no one instrument be it a piano, guitar, oboe or human voice may by itself, hold utmost importance. So no, I do not pray to the "piano" altar as some do as the definitive test for accuracy in sound repro. It to me does no better than a guitar, cymbal, voice, trumpet or clarinet, etc in depiction of timbre, accuracy, dynamics or true to reproduction. An attack note is an attack note. A transient is a transient and a decay is a decay. I’ve heard wonderful piano and shitty voice and have heard wonderful trumpet and shitty piano all on various perspective speakers.

When a person garnering attention here turns petulant, I’m out.

Have fun child.