How much “suspension of disbelief do you need?”

I just enjoy the the wonderful music and consider how blessed I am to have this system. I enjoy the escape and let the music wash over me. Forgetting about this messed up world for a little bit.

Actually, I do get that “in the room” experience very often with my system, with vocals, with solo guitar, sometimes with piano. Always late at night. Never with larger ensembles, which wouldn’t fit in my listening room. But with any musicians who could, yes, they do sound like they’re right in front of me. . Good equipment and the right speakers placed correctly. Took me 20 years of churning and tweaking gear and a yacht’s worth of money to get there, but yes, 

I am pretty deluded and very disappointed but not with my HIFI.  I've been to two Los Lobos concerts the first at the zoo (outside) was the second  best I've ever attended.  My most recent was the second worst I've ever attended.  The sound guy must have been deaf.  The amps were over driven into distortion,  The mix was terrible and the vocals piercing and I was pretty much unable to distinguish the words.  I ended up stuffing my ears with tissues just to be able to stay in the hall.  If my stereo sounded like that I would have it in for repair.

The night before at dinner there was a trio female singer, Ubase and guitar which actually sounded pretty good.  It was correctly amplified and sounded good.  My stereo is pretty close to that.  I need to work on tightening up the bass but it doesn't take all that much to reproduce amplified music.  Good quality HIFI amps and speakers are usually better sounding than pro audio and the studio microphones used in recordings  are usually better than the ones used for live performances. 

For the live experience I just have to delude myself that their are people behind me either sing along or talk during the performance.

I am pretty deluded and very disappointed but not with my HIFI.  I've been to two Los Lobos concerts the first at the zoo (outside) was the second  best I've ever attended.  My most recent was the second worst I've ever attended.  The sound guy must have been deaf.  The amps were over driven into distortion,  The mix was terrible and the vocals piercing and I was pretty much unable to distinguish the words.  I ended up stuffing my ears with tissues just to be able to stay in the hall.  If my stereo sounded like that I would have it in for repair.

Add to ^that^ That a lot of bands in concert are disappointing “sound wise”, compared to the studio album.

it is easier with something like a treo recorded live. But rock music is largely a different beast.

@danager 

Over the decades I have increasingly been dissatisfied with electrified concerts. I now stick to acoustic symphonic and unamplified jazz. Otherwise my system sounds better.