Questions about Resolving Systems

@nonoise 

You mentioned your last two purchases... what were they if you don't mind sharing?  I'm just curious what finally fixed things for you.

These three comments really nailed it, I think.

A highly resolving system will allow you to hear everything but not at the cost of anything....It will be done in a relaxed yet rich and full manner....Think of substituting the edgy brightness with a burnished quality. 

A high resolving system starts with a fully acoustically treated room. It is so much more important than the choice of audio equipment imo.

 it's a balance of detail and warmth.  

Here’s an example. I listened to Joan Osborne’s ‘Radio Waves’ live album the other day. It’s a compilation of live recordings over her career. In each song, I was able to hear clearly the difference in mics, soundboards, mixing, instrumentation, and in many cases the placement of instruments on stage. It was an interesting experience. Because live bands are mostly recorded from the inputs, not necessarily from the stage or audience, it’s a very different sensation than hearing a studio recording. Qobuz, Roon, iFi Zen Signature, Linn Akurate, AV5125 and Keilidhs.  
 

One thing that made me realize that my newer system were more resolving was the fact that I had listened to Too Old to Rock & Roll by Tull many hundreds of times over the years and really never read all the liner notes. I recently got my 40 year old album back and played it to hear a second voice throughout the track. Maddy Prior is singing along with Ian.

@audioman58

A truly Audiophile resolving system ,1st will take $$ on average at least $50 k

minimum , by many standards

We need to talk, I can put one together for $10K or less. If you use a headphone system for $5K. You need to checkout Benchmark:

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/digital-to-analog-audio-converter