What do you care about in this hobby?

It was always about the MUSIC first, then the desire to have that music in a room playing as if the group was there in front of me. I grew up around a lot of stereos of all prices, so much of it wound up needing repairs after a few short years of use, RELIABILITY became paramount for me. I only use McIntosh amplifiers and I sleep very well.  

Matt M

The ability to listen to my favorite musicians, over and over again, to those performances that draw me in. Many of these musicians are gone, but the recordings allow them to live on, to my ears, and lately, to my eyes (posted recently, under music, watching a lot of YT). I use top quality ss, as I want reliability, consistency and sustainability. My best, MrD.

Sound quality is what I always listen for but there are many things that come along in determining each listeners’ personal expectations. I’d include "involving".

As for equipment: Quality, Reliability, Customer service....all these three equal "value" at all levels.

For me, musical enjoyment, which I consider to be very different from sound quality, YMMV.

@larsman true sound quality is the end goal for me then it becomes a matter of how all those other things factor in, which is where it gets really interesting.  
 

I care about measurements and quality of parts for example because they may translate into better sound.  Or do they?  Just how much do they matter?   What am I paying for exactly if I pay for better parts?   Better sound quality one would expect.   Why else bother?  
 

Aesthetics matter to me as well.  Call me shallow.    Not so much bling, more that everything looks nice and well thought out.  Especially when WAF comes into play. 

Then there is customer service.   I want it all and I want it now!  😉