Does it have to sound good for you to like it?

@frogman 

However, FOR ME, the idea that the pursuit of great (subjective) sound quality as the end-all is worthy of anywhere near the level of concern or attention as does the appreciation of the vast artistic riches found in a great performance of great music strikes me as odd. FOR ME and others audio is a hobby while music is much more than that.

You are a musician, no?  I've often wondered whether those of us who play music aren't inherently more inclined to focus on upon music more than sonics. 

With over 100 posts it’s time I give my perspective. To answer your question(OP) NO, but many factors can dispute this since a plethora of recorded music has both great content and SQ. For many that own physical media the SQ of a recording should have equal importance since were using more of our time/money/effort and physical space as opposed to those that mainly stream(sample) music. As previously stated if one has a very wide taste in music genres the SQ issue is not as significant. Being selective regarding a recordings SQ does not diminish the admiration one has for the music.

@stuartk , yes, and yes. I would say that this is to be expected. I would also say that I think the key to having the fullest appreciation of the music is to develop the ability to turn off the need to constantly scrutinize the sound. While, as I wrote earlier, the two can live side by side, I think that one is being unrealistic to think that when listening to music we can appreciate ALL that the music is offering if we are also scrutinizing the sound and allowing ourselves to be bothered by what are ultimately relatively minor imperfections in the sound relative to what quality of sound that is really necessary to fully appreciate the music.

Audio as a hobby is great fun, but as a previous poster pointed out about his “listening club buddies”, it is possible to be an avid music lover with a very modest system and still get deeper into the music than someone with a very expensive system.

it is possible to be an avid music lover with a very modest system and still get deeper into the music than someone with a very expensive system.

Sure that’s possible, but I’d argue that same avid music lover could get even deeper into the music and appreciate it even more with a better system.  I can appreciate driving a Mazda Miata, but I can appreciate driving a lot more in a Porsche 911.

@frogman 

While, as I wrote earlier, the two can live side by side, I think that one is being unrealistic to think that when listening to music we can appreciate ALL that the music is offering if we are also scrutinizing the sound and allowing ourselves to be bothered by what are ultimately relatively minor imperfections in the sound relative to what quality of sound that is really necessary to fully appreciate the music.

This is consistent with my experience as well. 

@soix

Sure that’s possible, but I’d argue that same avid music lover could get even deeper into the music and appreciate it even more with a better system. I can appreciate driving a Mazda Miata, but I can appreciate driving a lot more in a Porsche 911.

Maybe. Perhaps I don’t want to believe this is true because I know I can’t afford to chase better and better sound. Or maybe "appreciation" is more dependent upon the capacity of the listener to tune into the music (and less dependent upon sonics) than your statement suggests. Maybe it’s simply too variable to make any broad assertions.

Regarding your driving example, I wouldn’t know how to go about comparing the respective attributes of a Porsche vs a Miata. Such fine points woulds be wasted on me. I’ve eaten in restaurants with folks who’ve eaten the same food and derived far less enjoyment than I have. One concluded I was a "super-taster" (a phrase I’d never encountered). My assessment was that their palates simply weren’t as developed.

On the other hand, I don't want to 'imagine' how it should sound, I want to hear sounds as close to the reality as possible. It is not possible to get deep into the music if you don't hear enough of it. It makes no difference whether you are a professional musician or not, we are all to a degree musicians.

Similar to live music, how else ?

"Live music" in which venue, from which seat, through whose ears???

We spend our time and money trying to build great sounding systems. There is nothing worse than playing a poor sounding CD,Record or music stream. It makes you stop and think how can I fix this. Interconnects, new speakers, amps soundproofing. Just don't do it. It creates a money pit we all swirl around in

+1 @viridian If something’s recorded live it should sound live, and if it’s recorded in a studio and meant to sound that way then it should sound like a studio recording.  BTW, I always thought the phrase “The Absolute Sound” was just ridiculous — sound is relative based on a myriad of things not the least of which is personal taste/preferences, so there is no “absolute sound” IMHO.  I’ve built my system and it has evolved so it just sounds “right” to me, which may have little to do with if it sounds that way to someone else.  I think the goal of achieving “live” sound is probably a misnomer and may more aptly be described as a desire for everything just to sound “right” however each individual perceives that.  Just my take.

@viridian 

Not to imply that is not as valid a choice as any, just dont understand it.

I don't either, unless it involves replicating what one hears night after night, in a particular venue from a particular group of musicians. 

@soix 

 I’ve built my system and it has evolved so it just sounds “right” to me, which may have little to do with if it sounds that way to someone else.  I think the goal of achieving “live” sound is probably a misnomer and may more aptly be described as a desire for everything just to sound “right” however each individual perceives that. 

+1 

I find when I play a lousy recording, it makes my start thinking, is there something wrong with my System, lol....please no thanks.  

I think most all of us prefer listening to a good recording but if the music that I love is only available on a poor recording I will still listen to it. 

London Calling by the CLASH, was recorded to sound rough. But was quite smooth. Don't sign anything you don't understand.