How do you get the "real" feel of music?

Thanks Zaikesman for again stating your points. I now understand better and I do agree with your statement about S's deus ex machina attitude. That was indeed uncalled for. For the rest I still beg to differ somewhat, for the simple reason that those "wornout warhorses", which indeed they are for the cognoscenti, still belong to the category of unknown species to many students of our hobby. By the way, what do you think makes for a "good" audiophile and where would you put the emphasis? Technical savvy? Golden ears? An inventive, experimentative attitude?
"Melomanie"? An open mind, ready to learn? Probably all of it and then some....Cheers,

Well, I was mostly referring to experience...

What a wonderful post sasha, pay no mind.

I think sasha's main point is how the quality of components is secondary to how critical tacit knowledge/experience is to making hifi sound good. And, this is something I severely lack but am trying to make up for by experimenting like a mad man with wires wires wires!! and some components and other accessories ofcourse.

Funny thing is, I used to design and install home theater systems for the "rich and famous and they worshipped me" too. But, as I have quit that boring industry and have more time to concentrate on my own hifi system, I seem to run into more walls. I can't seem to make my system *click*. I am not sure whether it is because I have a more objective mind when I am spending other people's money or I am just too critical of my own system thus I lose my ability to just enjoy the music.

I must also say, I was under 17 when I started selling this audio stuff and my colleagues were all over 40 with some over 60. I would say their approach were totally different than mine. I sold the components based on technical specifications and the clients' needs, and the elder guys sold themselves.

Brucegel, do you agree with Sasha's contention that "the rest has been solved" except for realistic dynamic range? I would contend that realistic soundfield (including reverberent soundfield) recreation is at least as big a stumbling block to getting the real feel of live music as is lifelike dynamic range - and an even bigger challenge technically, from the recording, reproduction configuration, and listening room acoustics standpoints. (I'm really not trying to lynch Sasha here - I probably wouldn't have commented at all on his post absent the hosanna's - I just honestly can't see what makes you guys feel that it's so incredibly insightful, helpful, or even well-put...you reading, Sash?)