Soundstage depth and width

The LEDR test mentioned in this article( http://www.stereophile.com/features/772/ ) basically DOES what (out to)Launche requires of a referenced sound stage. If your system resolves what the test's parameters describe; it will also resolve whatever ambient/sound staging info exists on your recordings(as far as CDs are concerned). Your other SOURCES, of course, are not in the chain, during the test(YMMV through them).

Further- This test CD(Chesky's 2nd) contains more involved image depth, height and specificity tests( http://hiendaudioshop.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/best-of-chesky-jazz-and-more-audiophile-tests-vol-2-m46/ ) Both CDs are valuable tools, if one is interested in tuning their room/system for best imaging and sound staging.

Hello Ben- The Chesky Jazz Sampler/Test CDs are available widely, ie:( http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Chesky-Records-Jazz-Sampler-Audiophile-Test-Compact-Disc-Vol-1/e/90368003720 ) ( http://www.amazon.com/Chesky-Records-Sampler-Audiophile-Compact/dp/B000003GF3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310598315&sr=8-1 ) or, from Chesky themselves(click on, "Test Discs", in, "show all categories" drop down menu): ( http://chesky.com/core/productlist.cfm?productcategoryid=1&genre_sysid=10016&name=Test Discs ) Vol #1 has the LEDR test on it.

Mr M- IF you are interested in educating yourself; you might CAREFULLY study this article: (http://www.deltamedia.com/resource/stereo_microphone_techniques.html) Proper microphone technics CAN & WILL capture hall ambience and sound stage info. A properly set up, resolving sound system WILL reproduce that info. The majority of recordings are not done with those attributes as a goal, however.

Hello Mr M- It's been years, since I've listened to my philharmonic recordings. When I did, I did not expect to recreate an illusion of reality(the dynamics and scope of an orchestra being what it is). Acoustic Jazz, Blues and (in whatever genres one might place) pieces like from, 'Dead Can Dance' or WaterLily's recordings, are much more manageable to capture and reproduce, with regards to sound stage and venue ambience.

It's hard to properly mic a piano, given it's size/shape(the various sound propagation points), and the instrument's dynamic range. Move around a piano, and the sound changes quite a bit. A stereo pair, inside/facing L/R, reative to Middle C works well(but is not realistic, regarding sound stage) It's difficult to get the instrument's dynamic range, without some amount of compression, and we know what that does to music. I've heard some really nice piano, captured on Diana Krall's discs. You can actually picture the position of her head(voice) relative to the piano(she does get emotive, when performing), where her hands are, on the keyboard(L to R), and her foot, working the Soft, Sostenuto
and Sustain pedals(all part of, "being there"- KUDOS to the man on the mixer). One of my favorites is Christine McVie's, 'Songbird', recorded at Zellerback Auditorium(UC Berkley). Nothing but her voice, piano, simple guitar accompaniment, and a nice sense of the acoustic(rendered beautifully on the Nautilus, 'Rumours' disc).

YEP! I missed the, "on a CD" part of his question. The discs I mentioned are all vinyls. Redbook CDs just don't capture the piano's dynamics. I don't have any piano on HDCD or XRCD, to compare with vinyl, but suspect those formats would come closer in realism. Done well, they do with every other instrument/voice. There again; everything depends on the care taken/technics used during the recording session, mastering and stamping/pressing processes. A plethora of variables and opportunities for sound/ambience info to be lost(regardless of format).

The recording chain/venue/pedigree all sound superb. I'd be very interested in hearing the results of all that preparation and care, after subjected to 16/44 digital processing. I'll be seaching for the disc. Thanks for the tip!