Is This the Essence of "The Audiophile Dilemma?

Classic audiophile dilemma is assembling: the most accurate audio system with very high sensitivity money can buy OR an audio system musical and forgiving with modest sensitivity

Now some may argue one can have the cake and eat the cake. That depends on your software. If your software is all high quality LPs, CDs, etc,. then perhaps you can put together the best system money can buy with very high sensitivity, yet also musical. However, for an old geek like me who still listen to music from very old mono recordings, cassettes, LPs, CDs, from 1930's onward, cranking up sensitivity comes with a price.

So I tend to favor audio components mostly forgiving yet musical. I may sacrifice sensitivity to get there. Only exception is my speakers, Thiel 3.6s which I will not say very forgiving!  But I get to enjoy >90% of my software this way.

Thank you guys (ladies are welcome, please) for some very informative responses.

Keep ’em coming, please.

@cd318 That video is fascinating. Thank you.

@mike_in_nc Good one. And relevant.

@gdnrbob Coincidentally, I did chat with Mr. Rutan a few weeks ago to get his opinion of an Audio Research tube integrated I’ve been considering. :)

Be well, all.

Factor 1 - Audiophile equipment ranges from relatively affordable to stuff that's very few could even consider as a possibility, so there's always something bigger and better available.

Factor 2 - Every audiophile has different references and unique listening spaces, so the only way to really know is by trying gear in your own listening space.

Factor 3 - Many audiophiles are in it for the hobby as much as for the music so upgrading and trying different gear is part of the fun.

Factor 4 - In my opinion, most people struggle to separate something sounding "different" with it sounding "better" unquestionable better.

At this point my system is reasonably on the audiophile scale of possibilities, but exceeds anything that I ever had as a goal, so I'm satisfied...for now.

I think that most audiophiles that have embraced this hobby for a fairly significant length of time will admit it's not just about the music. Technology always keeps moving forward and with it the hope of gaining a little more satisfaction with change. I know for me, the 'streaming thing' has opened up a whole new world of listening options that have reenergized my interest across the board and I find myself spending more time with my system(s) than say a year or two ago. 

@mceljo

Well-stated, sir. (BTW, I wish I hadn't sold my Pathos Classic III. :) )

@brauser

+1000 on "the streaming thing"