Assuming we're talking about good music here, however small or great the details, beautifully reproduced music is truly in those details. But it has to be a forest for the trees perspective. Or perhaps the final presentation of the detailed music you hear must be greater than the sum of it's detailed parts. The details may contrast or compliment, but ultimately every last detail creates the final presentation when combined.
For example, tremendous detail in a system with a high noise-floor, much grain and hash, lacking power for macro-dynamic passages, and which also induces much negative sibilance would sound real ugly and real monotone real quick. Perhaps enough to make you stop listening within a few moments due to listener fatigue.
On the other hand, tremendous detail in a system with the lowest possible noise-floor or the blackest background, with no grain or hash, with enough current draw for macro-dynamic passages, and without a trace of negative sibilance can be pretty awesome stuff. Perhaps enough to keep you up until 4 am every night and thinking about calling in sick the next morning, because you feel this desire to play just one more album.
The musical presentation just seems to make so much more sense or perhaps 'gel' so much better when the details are so independent, yet so intertwined and dependent on other details.
I hate to use this new age term but it's all the details that provide the 'wholistic' beauty of the music you hear.
This last statement may sound kinda' lame and I'm not even sure I know what I'm talking about here, but it makes sense to me. Otherwise I'd change my opinion. :)
-IMO
