I’m confused. Please explain.

But I think sounding “real” is the most basic requirement for a high end system, because I know what real sounds like, and euphonic, or pleasant to listen to, and not irritating, is a close second.

You make an important distinction. The point I was trying to make was that I don’t require the level of "reality" that qualifies as "high end" in order to thoroughly enjoy listening. I’ve listened to friends’ high end systems and enjoyed the more refined sonics but in terms of my emotional engagement with the music, I haven’t found their systems to be superior to mine.

Having only recently, after a long struggle, succeeded in removing lingering "irritation" from my system, I wholeheartedly concur that lack of irritation is a basic requirement. Irritating sound = irritated listener and none of us want to be that guy! 

I think it really depends on the way the lp was recorded.I have found some lps sound fantastic and like you are there and others sadly don't. The equipment used to record the lp matters the most and the engineer.

Ron, I can’t help but think you’ve missed an important point here. The real reason to want audio gear that makes music sound very similar to how it sounded in the convert hall (unamplified) is NOT so that you could confine your listening only to classical music. I’ve heard a lot of classical music in concert halls, but my home listening is at least 40=-50% other things.

The reason to get that kind of gear is that the hardest thing for audio gear to get right is the tone and timbre of physical, non-amplified instuments (ie, violin, french horn, cello) & the human voice. Gear that is designed and constructed to do that well, will also make everything else sound as good at it can possibly sound. Gear like this uses the best acitve & passive parts; pays attention to circuit layout &  grounding; and is "voiced" to sound very good, not just to measure well.

I just finished listening to several hours of heavy funk/R&B music from the past 50 years on a system I put together to produce music of great purity and timbral accuracy (DAC is MHDT Labs Orchis w/tube output buffer; preamp is Violectric V281; amps are Bel Canto class D monoblocks; speakers are Harbeth 30.1s; subwoorer is JLAudio e110. I can blow the walls down with this home office system, and it sounds amazing. But whenever I dial it back and listen to low volume choral and classical music, it sounds exactly as that music should sound.

Thank you all again  for your thoughts. I have read them all and value each one. 
 

Happy listening and stay cool in this heat! 
 

Regards

Ron 

Hi Ron,

Relax my friend, your system is one of the best I've had the pleasure listening to.

Personally I think too many in this hobby are listening to the equipment and are in

constant 'judgement mode".  

You're in a very good enviable place...just play what you like.

Warm regards,

barts