I believe that there are really only 3 different types of sonic reproduction given the level of many of the listed systems here on the pages of Audiogone , and those to which most subscribe to attain
Hmmm thats pretty good! Yes siree!
Oooh, now thats special!! No question.
And then theres
Oh, My God! Thats amazing!
My stuff is somewhere around the second aspired to plateau, or a mite above. IMO. For me the final level of providential exclamation continues to be more a myth than ever a realization.
Im very OK with that tact too.
Assigning ones goals up front enables greater clarity as one proceeds.... if one knows in advance what is truly the heart's desire.
If listening to any or all recordings is the aim, regardless the quality of it, some compensations must be made if only one system is to play them all
good bad or just plain poorly done discs. IMO. These allowances may well be time alone, or money, or both.
Im not too keen on pop music but I do dabble in it somewhat. Most poorly done recordings I own stem from the rock genre almost entirely. Older rock to be more specific, though some are done quite poorly today too.
Apart from the overly emphasized treble, and db levels taken into saturation, I find many sounding quite dry. Anemic in fact
as compared to those from genres wherein good recordings are a staple rather than exception
such as jazz, opera, symphonic, vocals, folk, modern bluegrass and others.
I can play any and all on my main system without regret or being ill at ease. Alternatively however, playing them on less resolving systems does allow a better experience. Many of these rock oriented classics werent intended to be revealed over high end gear in the first place. Consequently using less articulate gear for playback, though still above average, seems a proper fit there.
A matter of taste also runs deep in attaining a desired level of reproduction of course, and that burden lays on the shoulders of those who would bare it.
With $$$ a prime mover for me, Ive gone thru extremely analytical, sparklingly clear and dynamic sounding rigs to a more refined yet still more resolute system. Along the way the euphonic warm and velvety sounding rig was also enjoyable
for a while. Ultimately my tastes prompted me towards a combination of the euphonic and greatly revelatory mix as a listening preference. One which can play the greatest majority of music without need for major exchanges in components to accomplish such an end product.
Tubes were in the end the answer for me
completely and in conjunction with SS from time to time, showed yet another portal to the sound. If nothing else it was as an alternative perspective. Combining tubes and SS in the power train has distinct advantages in broadening ones latitudes in music perusal.
Amassing a lesser revealing system came by the trickle down facet of gear acquisitions. Much of my initial purchases form that rig. Other entries found their way to it as time passed and the main unit grew. HT played a part in it all too and presented another opportunity for gaining more flexibility.
Ultimately however, in my own case, compromise as it is a part of life by and large, is also a prime factor in my own ambitions and the components I own project just such a philosophy without inordinate sacrifices to signal integrity.
The greatest relief or comfort I enjoy today with my various audio arrangements was wrought by my recognition and acceptance of the principle of and act of compromise being one of inevitability, more so than one of choice.
If one is a member of the few, the proud, the uncompromising, congratulations
Im sure it will be an immensely gratifying and enjoyable experience for you. However, I have to admit I share just those same experiences and feel most OK with less expensive ordinance on hand, as I think its all must a matter of perspective and good sense that allows anyone to achieve lofty goals in audio recreation without remarkable expense. Especially if one checks their ego at the doorway to this endeavor
