In 40 years of this hobby it has been impossible to consistently attain a perfect listening session every time. Imo, the variables of time, inclination, pain/or not, distraction, tiredness, maybe even barometric pressure, and other hard to isolate variables impinge on the listening often.
I have done enough system building and comparisons of systems to conclude that it's not something magical happening with the gear (There will be some who insist that the electrical grid/power is shifting, and I'm not thinking of debating that here; there's plenty of threads about that). Others may disagree, but after building hundreds of rigs and getting similar experiences for decades, I think I have a baseline for comment.
I stopping trying to have the perfect session long ago, expecting that a nice session is a good result, but if it's better, it's a gift. The one variable that has led the most to my greatest satisfaction in listening has been...
reading. I tend to be analytical of the music, but when I read I distract my analytical self and can relax with the music. I suggest it to persons who find themselves obsessing over the sound. BTW, I love analyzing music and systems for their distant attributes, as evidenced in deep dive reviews at Dagogo.com for 14 years. It is stimulating but not relaxing. When I want to relax, I grab a book, preferably not electronic.
I do not operate in your genre of music typically, but I offer this; if you have never heard harder rock done on acoustic instruments, then you may like it. The one that I have used for assessment of systems is Apocalyptica's "Enter the Sandman". It's very edgy, and if the strings are making my ears bleed, then I know the treble needs moderating. There are some interesting instrumental groups/artists. Last night I was listening to Peter Gabriel's "Secret World" ((I still have to scan the lyrics for suitability), but was reminded that I have a different version of it, entirely instrumental, by a group (I think really an individual or duo) called Talesin Orchestra. I suspect it will be nauseatingly uninteresting sounding to you, but I rather like the instrumental remake of such works as Secret World. It's great that we have a cornucopia of artists that now we can play works with or sans lyrics. Imo, that, too, is a big factor in it all coming together. :)
I have done enough system building and comparisons of systems to conclude that it's not something magical happening with the gear (There will be some who insist that the electrical grid/power is shifting, and I'm not thinking of debating that here; there's plenty of threads about that). Others may disagree, but after building hundreds of rigs and getting similar experiences for decades, I think I have a baseline for comment.
I stopping trying to have the perfect session long ago, expecting that a nice session is a good result, but if it's better, it's a gift. The one variable that has led the most to my greatest satisfaction in listening has been...
reading. I tend to be analytical of the music, but when I read I distract my analytical self and can relax with the music. I suggest it to persons who find themselves obsessing over the sound. BTW, I love analyzing music and systems for their distant attributes, as evidenced in deep dive reviews at Dagogo.com for 14 years. It is stimulating but not relaxing. When I want to relax, I grab a book, preferably not electronic.
I do not operate in your genre of music typically, but I offer this; if you have never heard harder rock done on acoustic instruments, then you may like it. The one that I have used for assessment of systems is Apocalyptica's "Enter the Sandman". It's very edgy, and if the strings are making my ears bleed, then I know the treble needs moderating. There are some interesting instrumental groups/artists. Last night I was listening to Peter Gabriel's "Secret World" ((I still have to scan the lyrics for suitability), but was reminded that I have a different version of it, entirely instrumental, by a group (I think really an individual or duo) called Talesin Orchestra. I suspect it will be nauseatingly uninteresting sounding to you, but I rather like the instrumental remake of such works as Secret World. It's great that we have a cornucopia of artists that now we can play works with or sans lyrics. Imo, that, too, is a big factor in it all coming together. :)