Do we ask too much of our audio systems?


In high school, I taught myself to play guitar and later started playing in rock bands for about 10 years. I used a low powered mono tube record player in my bedroom to study Clapton, BB  King, Page, Hendrix, Beck and all guitar heros of the time and learn how to play. In those years, I never bothered to upgrade my system, mostly because nothing seemed to be able to replay what I experienced playing live in a band, with a Les Paul in hand and a screaming tube guitar amp. As the years went by I built half dozen speakers and had a decent Pioneer front end, using a Philips TT. My system sounded better, but never equalled the emotion and involvement of playing live. So, I guess I grew into Audiophilia thinking nothing is as good as live music. Now I have heard some very good systems and speakers, but still wonder..."am I chasing something un-attainable?" Do we ask too much from our audio systems?
dtapo
“What’s important in the home environment, is the emotional connection to the music. If one is getting that, then that’s where it is at.”

Frank nailed it.  That’s been my goal all along...I am pretty happy where I am with my audio system. There is always room for improvement but one should never loose sight of what you have accomplished.
A good system will get pretty close to experiencing live "woman" tone or a crunchy LP thru a stack of Marshalls, but it's still just "pretty close"

The pressing you're using and the system does make a difference, but in the end still just sounds like good hifi.  Personally don't "feel" it with any of those digital files or CD's.

All the extra time lately has allowed for a little extra  play time with my LP&Strat/Deluxe reverb. I've been jamming with Page, Hendrix, Beck, Trower, Howe, the 3 Kings...

Nothing replaces standing in front of a stack of Marshalls.
Having a “system” sound “live” will never happen. It’s more a trek to get the most out of the given recording, whatever the source. No matter the system, it will only produce what information it is given. Good or bad...