I CAN PURCHASE A NEW STORY AND CLARK 5'5'' BABY GRAND WITH PIANOMATION PLAYER FOR $9700 OR A YAMAHA GC1 5'2'' WITH PIANOMATION FOR $15000. IS IT WORTH THE ADDITIONAL $5300 FOR THE YAMAHA CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE YAMAHA IS THE LOWEST ENTERY INTO THEIR PRODUCT LINE? I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STORY AND CLARK IS MADE IN CHINA IN THE DONGBEI FACTORY, WHICH ACCORDING TO LARRY FINE IS THE BEST OF THE CHINESE. SINCE I AM FIRST LEARNING HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO, WHAT OPINIONS ARE OUT THERE. BY THE WAY, I WILL BE USING THE PLAYER PORTION FREQUENTLY!

Yamaha is a more reputable brand, but the S&C is larger. Generally the bigger the soundboard and the longer the longest string, the more robust the sound. There is a big drop off in sound quality in grands below 5'8". A tall upright would sound better. But I sense that you are in it for furniture/prestige factor as well, so you have to factor that into the equation.