What are we really trying to replicate?

I should try to clarify that I'm not saying that a system can sound "too good" in the sense that I don't think people should even want better system, just that at some point we're investing more into playing something than was put in to produce it. Think of it as putting a doodle sketch in a 1,000 frame. Would it be worth it? Only if your kid drew it.

OK, this is pretty silly. It's either important enough to you to invest X$ into, or it is not. It's that simple. You could question the value of virtually anything that way. It's worth what you are willing to pay for it and that varies from person to person. I cannot afford to have Joss Stone perform in my living room whenever I'm in the mood to hear her. The illusion created by my system, to me, is remarkable, and well worth the investment. It's the next best thing to her being here....and way less expensive. I think my system cost much less than it cost to produce her last album as well. I have over 1000 other albums to listen to in my library at the push of a button, not just one. I don't think anyone's system here exceeds what it cost to produce even 1/10th of them. If someone's system does cost that much, so what? It's their passion and they have the means and dedication to invest in it. Arguably, this is all we get and it's pretty brief and fragile. What's not to get about pursuing a passion that gives one pleasure?

I don't get The doodle sketch metaphor. A frame is not an essential part of a doodle sketch. One can view it without any frame at all, and the frame does not add or subtract or change the actual sketch in any way, whereas the music played at home could not exist without the system it is played on - it would be so many various useless plastic discs. If you want to use that metaphor it would be closer to painting your listening room another color to alter your experience of listening in it. The sentimental attachment to a sketch your kid drew...well, what the heck does it have to do with your question?? Are you suggesting that the music we listen to at home is akin to a doodle sketch? If so, I don't even remotely agree.

Listening to music for me is a rather private enjoyment. I've shared it with friends who appreciate it, but I mostly enjoy it on my own. I imagine that everyone has their own ways of enjoying it. Not many folks I know are like me and actually like to spend time just sitting and listening, much less also share my particular tastes in what to listen to.

I'm beginning to realize that what I'm trying to convey simply is being lost in translation, that happens sometimes when a discussion can't be had face to face.

The origin of my thought process was a co-worker that simply asked me how one justifies the amount that we spend on equipment to play a record that may not have even cost a dollor to manufacture. What quality control is there on the production of vinyl? This is a guy that listened to my system and simply said it was worth whatever I paid for it.

I wish I could find the manufacturing show on TV again that I saw that detailed vinyl production now that I'm more interested.

Enjoy your systems!

strange point of view, would he feel greater justification if the record cost $500 to produce. Is my $70,000 auto only be justified when the price of gas is $50 a gallon???

my take
1) all the time. Most of the stuff I listen to was initially put out with Marshall stacks with a swarm of 2 inch paper tweeters and 12 or 15 inch woofers. I cant hang with the volume (Dont want to either) but from a quality standpoint my speakers can reproduce a wider spectrum with greater clarity than the speakers that made the noise in the first place.

2) Dont see how.

Cyclonicman - It's not a matter of me feeling better or not. Maybe a better way to make the comparison is to look at the level of engineering that goes into audiophile equipment and then realize that vinyl is a mass produced item. CDs provide whatever is recorded on them so that's not really an issue.

My experience is very limited, nearing zero, with vinyl which is why I'm asking questions. Has anyone had two seemingly identical records sound different? How much variation is acceptable from one to another?

A little background on me. I'm an engineer and almost always look at things differently from anyone else including my many engineering friends. My wife would tell you that I'm "broken." This isn't the first time, and won't be the last, that my thinking makes no sense to anyone else. Thankfully, I'm not always the odd one out.

This discussion has given me some different perspective to consider and that's the goal in the end.

I truly know that the investment in audio equipment yields improvements, no doubt about it.