Your System vs. Live Music, or how close to live..

My Classe CA-400 and Dunlavy V based two channel system, I would say come to 75 sitting in the sweet spot, but Extend that to stereo surround sound mode on Classe SSP-50, CA-400 and Dunlavy II in concert with two channel sitting in NEXT room or back yard on a good recording (e.g. Days of the New's debut CD), closeness to live comes to 90. No kidding. Hate to admit but it is true.

At the chance of getting beat up for this I have to say that I dont build my system to sound like live music. I build it to sound as good as possible to me.

Some live concert qualities amaze me and I would give anything for my system to sound like them. But most of the time I have to wear ear plugs because of the harshness.

My system is

Classe Audio Cp 60
Classe Audio Dac 1
Classe Audio CDT 1
Genesis digital lens
Two Classe Audio ca 400's. One two channel amp per speaker that I use with Mit push pull cables.

Sonus Faber Extremas
Two Rel Stentor subs that I run in stereo.

I think my system sounds far from most live but I have to admit when I had a turntable the realism of tonal accuracy while playing Simon and Garfunkels live at central park would give me goosebumps. Well recorded live albums are the best in capturing the energy of concerts.

I have a pretty good system (if you care to see what's in it as of a while back, check the Best System You Ever Built thread), and have heard a lot of fine systems, and I'd have to fall in the camp of Jvia and Slartibartfast, I don't think you can get more than 10-15 on your scale from any system, at least for large scale classical music, and maybe a little higher for smaller scale ensembles. Dynamics and sheer volume are always compromised by reproducing systems (as well as the recording equipment itself), even for solo voice and instruments, and my system can only offer a creditable approximation of an orchestra going full bore. I feel analog gets me closest, SACD and 24/96 next, with CDs third. Note that I'm not saying that you can't enjoy what a stereo/full surround system can give you, but it just can't really be compared, in my view, to the real thing--a different reality, if you will.

I would consider myself to have a high grade audiphile system. When i go to a live jazz performance, I would say that when compared to my system, I achieve under 20%...nothing like the sound of the wood in a real instrement

Even discounting the visual ambience, no-where near. As mentioned by Rc, Jvia, Slartibartfast and Mzn50 above, reproduced music is just that: reproduced. A beautiful experience, nevertheless, and one that offers some advantages over live: where can you hear Furtwangler --or Klemperer, or S-R Vaughan, or T Monk, or Miles, etc (endless list)-- live?
Cheers