Bad recordings and high end audio

I was at Mike Lavigne’s a week ago. Mike has master tapes (dubbed, obiously, not original) and played Led Zeppelin. Rest assured, this is NOT a "horrible" recording!   

It is insanely good. There was at one point a particularly incredible guitar screech that made me gasp. Takes a lot to make me gasp. From behind I heard Mike, "As God intended it." Indeed. That is the kind of recording this is. 

Every time I think my expectations of in-store sales are as low as they can go something comes along makes me lower the bar yet again.

If you enjoy driving around being a pita to people who clearly have other better things to do, and who more likely than not will spew nothing but blather, all in order to limit yourself to what few random components happen to be in your area, well then, knock yourself out.

Hope you enjoy it. Hope it works for you.

Myself, I know if I did that then I would have NONE of what I have today. NONE. Not one single thing. Instead I would have nothing but dreck. Absolute dreck.

This is my insight. Stop wasting time with people who do nothing but waste your time. Stop limiting yourself to what few things happen to be nearby. Stop paying retail. Focus on direct sales manufacturers like Tekton, Raven, Decware, Bottlehead, Townshend, Origin Live, etc. Focus on reviews. Within reviews, focus on listening impressions. Within listening impressions focus on emotional involvement. Within emotional involvement look for non-audiophile types who are moved to tears- or experienced audiophiles who say they are done looking now that they have this. Whatever "this" may be. Now you have hit the motherlode. And all without leaving home. Been doing it this way going on 15 years now. Only way to fly.

I don't see that you mentioned your source-- vinyl?  CD?  Streaming ?
If we knew this, it would be easier to make suggestions. 

As mentioned, the better the sytem, the more resolving it will be-- in other words, the more information it will deliver to your ear. Good recordings will sound better and poor recordings will sound worse. 

As mentioned, you can tune your system to accomodate your listening preferences. There are other members who are much more knowledgeable that I am, but here's a list of factors, in no particular order:

1) The room. You may or may not be able to change its effect significantly, depending upon whether you have a dedicated listening room or not. 

Do not assume that a component will sound the same in your room as it does in a showroom !  !  ! 

2) If you are going digital, your DAC choice is extremely important as there can be wide differences in sonic presentation between them. 
I wouldn't rush into purchasing a DAC nor would I buy one I couldn't demo at home. 

3) Tone controls: You may want to choose an integrated amp with tone controls or else use a Schiit Loki or Lokius EQ.

4) Amplification. There is quite a wide range, from the "softest", most euphonic tube amps to the "dryest", most "clinical" solid state amps. In the middle of the range, there are tube amps and SS amps that exhibit the better attributes of both. There is also class D, about which I know nothing. Do a search on this site. 

4) Cables can make a big difference. This is a huge topic in and of itself!  

5) Vibration Control. I was using a Schiit Loki all the time before I stumbled upon a line of vibration control products that really worked in my system. I've subsequently sold the Loki. The harshness I'd previously  needed to tame with the EQ is no longer an issue. 

6) System Synergy. Choose components very carefully. You can't assume that any random combination of amplification, source, speaker and room will please your ears. Again, I'd suggest you purchase components from sellers who'll let you demo gear at home. Become educated re: the sonic attributes of various manufacturers. 

7) The sound in your head. What do you prefer? If you don't know, it's going to be much more challneging to assemble a system, that pleases you. Your comments suggest you're leaning more to the "musicality' side of the spectrum, as opposed to the "ruthlessly revealing" side. 

If this is true, you might consider either going with vinyl or with an r2r ladder DAC.

It’s true most Led Zeppelin is made to be played loud and a system needs to be able to do that clearly without distorting/clipping/fatigue  to deliver the intended effect best. A good example of where size and clean power matters. It takes a very good system to do that well in most save perhaps very small rooms. Matching components including speakers to room is key. All the things that audiophiles fret about matter even in the case of maximizing Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin is all about the power and energy of the music. The exact opposite say of perhaps a string quartet. Unfortunately I must point out that though Magnepans are wonderful speakers rock and pop music that excels based on power and dynamics like Led Zeppelin are not their forte and why I eventually parted with mine though I would still like to have a small pair around to use when the whim occurs.

My musical taste, like I am sure most people on here are all over the board. I love blues, , jazz,  solo voice and then I might want to listen to EDM. When I was younger, late 70s early 80s I heard some electrostats. I have had that sound implanted in my head since then. Thus the maggies. Yes, i know they are different then electrostats but I did get to compare some Martin Logans with maggies. So what is pleasing to me is detail and soundstage. Again, I am just getting back into my hobby and am trying my best to explain my thoughts. In hindsight, I wish I would not of skipped 25 years.   I have vinyl, a ton, but also would like to stream. My room is medium size ( 20x14) and empty, so I can do what I want in there. My initial thoughts are to pair a tube preamp with a SS amp. So many variables it is overwhelming , however I figure I need to start somewhere lol.  I must say I have watched so many stinking video reviews and spent hours on the forum. I agree to extend regarding storefronts. Limited brands, push their agenda ect. How often do you guys send stuff back  that  you buy direct? I do appreciate the input and patience in your responses, I know some of this is now second nature to you. 

Yes so many choices it can all be very confusing. You came to a good place here though to get a good sampling of what is possible. Maybe others here who live not far from you might offer to let you hear their stuff if you message them including myself. Also there are audio shows starting to go again now it seems and those are one of the best ways to get a wide sampling of what is possible in a short period of time.