High Performance Audio - The End?

In the world of classical oboe, for a long time players could choose between the "Swiss/German" sound (precise, neutral tone; very little vibrato; no "romanticizing of note production) or the "French" sound (highly expressive, large vibrato, overtly romantic note production). I quickly learned that I preferred the French sound because the players expressed such passion in their playing, and IMO the instrument simply sounds better played that way.

One of the first sonic decision points I faced in my early days of audio gear appreciation was rather similar: many in the hobby are proponents of "neutrality," "accuracy," and "detail," while others are more interested in "musical," even "romantic" sounding gear. I was going to much live music all through those years (jazz & classical, primarily)--and I realized I prefer "musical" gear simply because music I knew well (once or twice  recorded in front of me) retained its core sound & "feel" better on the "musical" gear than the other kind.

These divergent sonic concepts have pursued me into headphone audio, where treble-cannon headphones are often the most prized (they give me a headache).

My point is simple: if music played IRL in real space is your ultimate reference, it’s pretty easy to figure out what sounds good to you.

Thanks well made observations...

Music is not sound.....Music is a whole not a sum of details....

Microscope resolve, musical instrument reveal...Resolving power must always be at the service of the revealing power...

Sound cause harm, music and silence heal.....

Most hobbyists will not be in the  class of systems to enable all genres and recordings to sound wonderful.  No judgment of anyone's efforts,  just experience with gear from budget to close to SOTA. 

Most hobbyists will not be in the class of systems to enable all genres and recordings to sound wonderful. No judgment of anyone’s efforts, just experience with gear from budget to close to SOTA.

You seems to be serious?

I had an audio system that cost me 500 dollars including dac, amp, and speakers, and it is the best sound i ever listen to.... Why because it is not the price of the gear that impact most but the way it is embed in electrical, mechanical, and acoustical dimension...All genre sound marvellous here even metal or acoustic....

And beside that one of the best amplifier in the world in 1978 does not becomes automatically scrap today...

If your job is selling gear it is ok, but it is a bit snobbery to allegue price to be judge of the way a system sound without being even conscious of the acoustic extraordinary impact.... I dont even mention mechanical and electrical embedding, i doubt you even know what it is....

Sorry to be rude....Awake to reality ans spend less on electronics.. Spend more on thinking... :)

Audiophile experience is not reserved to 100, 000 dollars system....
mine is so good upgrading seems ridiculous....There is better yes, but by a small margin at very, very, high price...

Embeddings: the multiple ways a piece of electronic components is connected and immersed in system gear, house, and room....

To your discharge most audio system dont sound at all with their potential S.Q. it is true... Because like you, most people ignore the method to embed their gear....They think that all is ok ready out of the box....And manufacturer dont have interest to enlighten them when they pay for the "best" and dont want, in addition to paying big money, any hard work to reach the high level their gear is able to reach....ANY gear need to be embed never mind the price.....

My best to you....

The fact of the matter is that the bulk of audiophiles' systems are not that good. Contemporary music sounds bad on these systems because they simply cannot handle it, while superior systems can. It's foolish to blame the genre of music when the system is poor. If you're running a $5-10K rig, then do not expect such music to sound great. Conversely, anyone can delude themselves into thinking their system is all that when it sounds good playing simpler, less challenging music. The fact is that if the modern music sounds poor on your system, then it's not that great of a system, and/or you didn't set it up well.
If this were true then why at audio shows do I not here a wide variety of music, usually the same Audiophile recordings. I know your going to say it's the room.