Myles, you are quite right re the "new" sound of CH. To your observations, you can add the fact that now it is harder for the musicians to hear each other on stage; particularly from one side of the stage to the other. In the old hall, it was much easier for low woodwinds to hear and blend with the bass section. Now, bass seems less defined, with inferior pitch definition. End result is that the bass section is forced to play louder and more aggresively; not always a good thing for the music. Still, the best hall we have for orchestral playing in the area. With the possible exception of NJPA; great hall!!