@verdantaudio Thanks.
Temporal reference shift...AND shifts in definitions of "accuracy" by audiophiles are areas I've been reflecting on.
I believe this is part and parcel of the human condition, it's growth, and it's engagement with the world at large. One example of many, for illustration purposes: consider the differences in movies from the 1950s to those of today.
It's a steady, inexorable creep... mostly unnoticed as the changes are incremental and softened by time. Add Up they do.
We are, in my opinion/reflection, at a point where "natural / realistic" [accurate] as "understood" say 40 years ago, would be identified as tilted to experience (using your word) if one were to be transported from that time to today.
Of the core brands you mention, I'd expect many to be found in the experience column...based on the above hypothetical.
I think that the core brands mentioned here, Chord, Rockna/Audiobyte, Bricasti, Weiss and I would add in MSB, dCS & Playback Designs are committed to delivery of an accurate listening experience.
Bringing this up since you've spent a significant amount of time understanding differences in this component type within your system chains.
Perhaps you and others from the industry can comment?
Having a relative, flexible and general understanding of what's natural, realistic, accurate would be helpful. For the many, versus the one. Wishful hope? : )
