What is a high end stereo SUPPOSED to sound like?

the problem with the term "high end", is that is a typical audiophile term.

it has no definitive definition.

if , as audiophiles, we could agreee on the definition of high end, the question raised by this thread would be answered.

the fact that there are so many responses indicates that, like other audiophile terms, its subjective in nature and either is a rhetorical question or is a matter of opinion.

i suppose then that asking the question is designed to elicit as many perspectives as possible.

as a practical matter it doesn't have any affect upon one's ability to enjoy listening to recordings.

such a question demonstrates that philosophy and "audiophilia", share many attributes.

Sounds almost live!!

Practically, and in an objective manner consistent with modern best practices for effectively leveraging technology, I would define high end by applying the 80/20 rule therefore a high end system must practically be in the top 20% and better than 80% of the systems out there overall.

Ok, so now you have to define what "better" means. That of course will involve different strokes for different folks.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Does it really matter what "high end " means? Maybe the whole concept should just be dumped.

I'd rather answer in terms of what it's supposed to feel like. You can hear a song from someone like Eva Cassidy on a low end system and like it for the beautiful lyrics. You can hear the same song on a higher end system and feel it in your soul. Of course, it has to be a good song. If the dynamics are there and the sound stage is there and the clarity is there and you can hear every nuance including the breathing and the decay of the notes -- those things and others combine to ignite your emotions at a different level. Low end systems can certainly elicit an emotional response based on the quality of the song but great stereos wrench you like nothing other than live music can. With a great stereo, you don't want to leave the experience.

Bryon and Almarg, are you suggesting lack of neutrality includes any and all perceivable kinds of distortion? If you are, then can we not use "the alternate", aka, accuracy? If we can, then It seems you've summed up this thread. I believe you have. But don't stop now.