Getting into the music

@ghdprentice 

Thanks for telling your story. I think you have saved me a lot of money. ;)

I think also that ghdprentice know what he talk about ...

This does not means that a high end costlier system will not be better but the way to put them together matter the most...It is the way i read his post ...

Yep, I had a $70K reference system. If I was mastering albums… it would be great. But for a musical experience… nope.

Thanks. No, I don’t think high cost is the only way to get there… but for me… I always want upgrades to be better in all aspects while closing in on the sound I want. You can put together a musical system at most levels. It is about the choices you make… and knowing what you want. 
 

Over the decades in this pursuit I would occasionally hear a system that would really grab my emotions. I can think back to seemingly random systems that just stuck in my mind. When I listened to my 300b headphone systtem, then my main system… it all fell together. All those seemingly random experiences just came together and I completely understood rhythm and pace, the out of proportion details, and what those systems had in common. 
 

Take for instance the Audio research I-50 integrated amp. It cost $6K. So building your system around that does not require a fortune. If you don’t mind ferreting, I am sure you could find some less expensive. 

@rvpiano

"As a former musician, this would have been unthinkable years ago. Music was everything to me."

Not good! Let’s hope some forum members can suggest possible ways to restore the simple joy of listening.

Have you been at this long enough and heard enough gear to know for certain this problem is solely "in your head" and not a function of gear?

No doubt good seats at the symphony is one of the best references to have.