How important is it for you to attain a holographic image?

First, I think it's important to reset with going to a symphony now and then and closing your eyes.

We rarely get holographic sound in person.

But we may desire it, especially since we cannot see the musicians.

And possible, depends on the recordings, but I will say my experience is that you can improve the holography by improving acoustics in the same plane.

Also, I believe there's serious trade offs. Imagine may be enhanced at the loss of treble, or lower midrange. When I hear cables enhancing the imaging, it seems this is always a trade off.

But always, to your own ears and pleasure be true. "realism" is oversold.

I don’t worry much about it . In the 2k + live classical concerts I’ve been to I’ve yet to be in a concert hall that imaged .
2 were close, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Ordway  in St. Paul .

Very important. Especially for some recordings. I dismiss systems that can't do it well. Not only simply holographic but layering. I've been to a few concert halls as well, including those that were not particularly good. 

I was thinking about this some more. I think there are a couple of things I'd rather have more than holography:
1. Smooth FR. One that does not call attention to itself, but feels effortless in dynamic range and endless to the edges in the bass and the treble.

2. Transparency. To me, what I mean is the aural equivalent of standing on a mountain top, and realizing you can see for miles farther than you ever could.

Both of those characteristics matter a lot more to me than imaging. And imaging is important.

Best,
E