All good points in the last several posts. I would add, though, that we should keep in mind that the purpose of a good audio system (and the recordings it is playing) is not to transport the musicians into our room, it is to transport us to the concert hall.
In certain situations, of coure, that is a distinction withouut a difference, such as perhaps a recording of jazz musicians or a night-club singer performing in an intimate space. But on recordings of ensembles and performances such those we might listen to in large concert halls, I don't think that the fact that we listen at less than "musicians in the room" volume levels represents a compromise.
Regards,
-- Al
In certain situations, of coure, that is a distinction withouut a difference, such as perhaps a recording of jazz musicians or a night-club singer performing in an intimate space. But on recordings of ensembles and performances such those we might listen to in large concert halls, I don't think that the fact that we listen at less than "musicians in the room" volume levels represents a compromise.
Regards,
-- Al