I heard this guy play in a basketball gym in San Francisco in the 1970's. I wasn't impressed at all. The sound was thin and the playing was rough and extremely fast. The pipa is relatively small and is not meant to be played in large venues without microphone. Here the sound seems refined, with the help of recording equipment, of course.
blame it the design of theatre hasn't been smart enough. Ancient Greek theatre may allow the sound of a dropping needle to resonate all arround the audience side.
It's a shame for the organizer in San Francisco. Liu Dehai is a master of Pipa. Try this one. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F4S1vhK975w.html