How much reality do you really need?


The real question to the audiophile  is, “how much reality do you need” to enjoy your system? Does it have to be close to an exact match?  How close before your satisfied?  Pursuing that ideal seems to be the ultimate goal of the audiophile.
The element of your imagination has to come into the equation, or you’ll drive yourself mad.  You have to fill in part of the experience with your mind.
But this explains the phenomenon of “upgraditis.”
rvpiano
The important thing is when you become happy with your system there is a time when that will happen and when it does the upgrades cease and you just listen for pleasure rather than worrying about how the system sounds if you are always worried about the sound you will drive yourself nuts.
I think I"m with Mapman--enough to hold my attention.  

Musicality is key for me. Sometimes reality is not in keeping with enjoyment. Usual it is though. 
stuartk - Quoting a humble Shaolin: "I don't try to have all the answers. I simply try to understand the questions...".
Subjectivist's answer: I'd like it to sound as real as I can get it.👍
Objectivist's answer: I'd like sound to come out the other end. 👎

All the best,
Nonoise