High expectations when listening to an orchestra


If you listen to an orchestra and expect to hear the real thing, you’re certain to be disappointed.
There’s no way you can come close to that experience  with your equipment.  An orchestra in your listening space is an impossibility. Therefore you have to adopt a “suspension of disbelief.”  In other words, trick yourself into believing it’s the real  thing.  You have to bring your imagination to the equation.
The degree to which you can suspend your disbelief, will determine how much enjoyment you get.
Of course, the better the quality of your equipment, the closer you will come.
With lesser forces than an orchestra, such as a few instruments or solo instrument or voice, the easier it becomes to approach reality.
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I just listened to La Mer from Debussy directed by Solti w/CSO on original London FFRR. While not like being in the concert hall, played with my newly acquired PBN Montana XPS speakers, the instruments were placed all over the front wall with fantastic separation. That's plenty good enough for me. This record grows on me at each listen, superb experience. 
Yes, it can be done. The world needs to get the time-domain fixed. Up until now, fr and radpat. Soon it will truly be 4 dimensional. 
More alcohol, better illegal (or not) 'stimulants'....

Just kidding (maybe, but...)... ;)

Look, your audio gear can only take you so far.  How much you've invested, how anal you've been in selection of same, how carefully you've prep'd your listening environment...

You'll be either delighted or dismayed....same old, same old.
And it seems to play out with one's mood as well.
But, I'm just a weird heretic....subject to illusion delusions...;)
I have had season tickets to the symphony for over 10 years.  I often close my eyes and listen critically for sound stage, the impact of the kettle drum, the tonality of the strings and woodwinds.  I do it to determine what my home system should sound like.  With some fiddling over the years, I can get a very close experience at home when playing the same compositions.