Music first or sound first?

It's always the "sound" to start, but it doesn't last long.

I started out listening to the sound until I got my system where I wanted it.

These are some of the honest feedback. I am in the same boat.

I think that many  audiophiles feel that they will be looked down upon, if they claim that they are moved by sound rather than music. It's almost like "audiophile" is a derogatory term and "music enthusiast" is the acceptable norm. And yet we try to make our sound/music as close as possible to reality. Strangely 1% or less of the entire human population are the people who care for their music to be reproduced as accurately as possible, trying to get the best (within budget) DAC, amp, loudspeakers, etc.

I play music that is stuff I want to hear. My system still surprises me how good it sounds, but it is music that is the purpose of the system.  

I  have a number of piano roll recordings done by Saint-Seans, Ravel, Debussy, etc, and while I marvel at their playing, it's a real treat to hear it sound so good.  My system excels on voices and acoustic piano.  It is fully capable of presenting anything I want to hear, at whatever level I want, in a very large room.  The sound is a pleasure, but it is always in service to the music.

I spent a period choosing "audiophile Quality recordings without regard to the music genre. Doing this I discovered and enjoyed music that I would never considered listening to. Great way to expand music appreciation. 

Music first. You want 'sound', just go outside. 

~Wes

+1 @layton64