What is a high end stereo SUPPOSED to sound like?

Very fair, indeed.

The times when it sounds real don't happen as often as we'd like so one must revel in the throes when in its presence, knowing it's fleeting at best.

More wine?

All the best,
Nonoise

I tend to agree that we may underestimate our ability to remember what things sound like. Our senses are powerful tools when tuned in and assessed objectively. Regardless, each person's individual senses are all we each can really depend on.

Very fair, indeed.

The times when it sounds real don't happen as often as we'd like so one must revel in the throes when in its presence, knowing it's fleeting at best.

More wine?

All the best,
Nonoise

Sorry about the double post!
I don't know how it happened.

Speaking of wine, I don't drink anymore, and my wife has cases moldering in the basement. We went to a birthday party for a young friend last night who just turned 40 and i said, 'dear, why don't you pull out one of those older bottles collecting dust.' She pulled out a case of 1989 Chateau Palmer and we wrapped up a bottle for him as a gift. We paid close to nothing at the time for that case. It apparently still drinks well, according to grape reports. Our friend was delighted.