Hello,
let me just write down my first impressions.
Yesterday I installed the Etude Elements piano samples.
First of all, I am not a pianist, but I have come accustomed to use the Yamaha S90 piano samples when proofreading/~auditing a score.
In my ears it has a nice, well balanced grand piano sound with a somehow neutral overall characteristic. That is what makes it very well suitable for all kinds of proofreading, it does not distract the ear.
In comparison, Etude (Elements) is a very different instrument. As far as I have read it is a “deeply” sampled Yamaha C3X grand piano. I hear a lot of mechanical noises, resonances of the piano case/frame. It adds a lot of characteristics to the piano sound. In my opinion, the non harmonic sound portion seems quite enhanced. I am sure, one can adjust this somewhere, but the default gives an impression, as if a camera or a microphone is much too close to a singers face.
These are my very first impressions, and I am considering reverting back to the Yamaha S90, as it is better fit for my purpose.