2. misc-audio
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Stereo system vs Steinway

Hey folks,

So having more room in the new place, my inherited Steinway grand piano is scheduled to arrive soon.
As an aspiring classical piano student, listening to pieces I am working on is a constant.  

I am told that the piano needs an environment where the humidity stays safely above 45 - 50% to prevent the cabinet from drying out/developing cracks/etc. 

My piano teacher keeps hers at just over 60%.

I have a "secondary" system in the "piano room" consisting of a pair of Ampzilla 2000 2nd editions, with an old Bryston BP26 and a much older set of B&W Matrix 801 S2s.  Source is currently a laptop.

Are there any guidelines regarding safe humidity levels for audio equipment? 
Would 50% ish be too high?

I also just inherited (along with what I believe to be one of the first Rega turntables my uncle purchased in the UK over 30 years ago sitting on an air bladder supported platform) an older and really heavy Jolida tube integrated.  Are tubes more/less sensitive to humidity?

Am I just being paranoid?
Or do I need to consider moving the system out of the piano room and perhaps listen with headphones?

Thanks everyone!





hleeid

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,922 posts
 
I would go for 'normal'.

A gazillion people have pianos over the centuries, most in rooms with less humidity, the thing is to avoid excessive dryness that shrinks moldings, cracks wood, etc. In 'normal' humidity levels, they don't crack, they hold their tune.

And definitely avoid frequent temperature changes, i.e. avoid outside walls, too near windows, avoid too much sunlight on the wood ...

I have a forced air system with adjustable humidifier. I watch my ceiling moldings in the winter, and how much moisture jumps on the windows and storm doors when I open the outside doors. Enough, not too much.
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