I've had good results by taking my default pianos in Sonar, and Kontakt, and using a custom EQ on them to bring out the highlights. BTW... in TTS and other synths, they generally come at about 60% or so volume wise..... if you're familiar with the synth, you find the master volume and turn it up.

Not knocking your new synth.... just commenting on what I've done to get a piano up out of the mix a time or two.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.