What are we really trying to replicate?

Musicnoise, your comments are certainly on the mark. The sound experience at a live rock concert is entirely different from that at a symphony concert. Even at the highest sound/dynamic levels, the ears are rarely assaulted in the same way they are at rock concerts, which often use electronics equipment to further amplify the sound. I also agree with your point about raising the question, "Do you like the way music sounds on your system?" Indeed, that is THE most significant concern when listening to reproduced music at home. Notwithstanding, the live event is most often "a horse of a different color." It would take too much time and effort for me to relate how remarkable sounding the experience was for me and my friends at a recently attended concert, and it wasn't just the performances or the particular compositions either. Though I had heard wonderful sound at other concerts, I was unprepared for sound this glorious. I will remember it for a long time.

One thing that I've found is that every time I change speakers my listening preferences change a bit. With my Infinity IL-50s that had built in subwoofers allowed me to really enjoy music with powerful bass. My Focal 836v speakers have me leaning towards more simple classical type recordings where the detail is better. My favorite CDs are almost all a recording of a very small group. I have one particular David Garrett CD that has one song that is a solo violin piece that is recorded about as good as it possible. It's simply not possible for a symphony recording, no matter how well it's done, to have the level of detail.

This may sound strange, but when I first got my speakers I had the realization that a significant part of the quality was actually silence. The clarity of the Focals made me visualize my Infinity's running out of control like a car without shocks and not properly seperating the many distinct sounds. Am I explaining this so that it makes sense?

All I can advise is to save your time and money and never get wrapped up in this stuff. I can almost promise you it won't end well.

If you mean that there isn't an end to audiophile's journey, that's true.

I think that no matter what a person own they will eventually lose their excitement for it and think that something else sounds better when it might just be different.

As for my journey, I'm a half-baked audiophile so other than possibly obtaining an SACD player I don't see myself upgrading or changing anything until something stops working.

Two answers.

(1) There exist's a proven/quantifiable answer to your question, and let me let it be known by saying further, and first, and in conclusion, that the level of an audio system depends upon one simple factor. Unfortunatly, many variables exist for to confuse us. For simplicity, just consider the least/most important factor of which is the method used to level an audio system. For the sake of argument, and for ease of understanding and with an obvious lack of emphases on or an excess of consideration placed upon the questionable nature of said leveling procedure...level is always level, except when it is not.

Personally, I go oldschool and use a 12" bubble level atop all of an audio system. Laser options are said to exist which might result in an even further refinment of the leveling of an audio system.

Obviously, the level at which said leveling exceeds or conversely falls short with that of other said level of an audio system used for recording and/or transfer is when one or another of said level audio systems is out of level than other said leveled audio system, be it maufacturing audio system or transferred to media audio system. Quite simple to remember and understand. For your own sake, just be careful out there.

Let me begin by saying, you just get a level and measure an audio system and then a simple trip to the recording/manufacturing facilities with your leveling device will clear up any ambiquity.

Me, I've got music to listen to.

turns out, this question is a two part-er....

(1b) No, it does not make sense to spend thousands of dollars to reproduce a record that is mass produced. I repeat....Do not spend thousands of dollars to reproduce a mass produced record. Let the record company reproduce it for you, and then you will only have to spend around $10-30 for the record at your favorite local record store.

However, it DOES make sense to spend thousands of dollars upon many un-mass produced records. Try it out yourself and thank me later. Go on, I'll wait....

(2) Yes, speakers can actually sound too good. Amps cannot as well. Preamps too. Turntables, of course. CD players sure. Cables, but of course. MP-3's, no. Haircuts...maybe.

Do not question this logic, for your enjoyment will be diminished.

(f) You are wise to doubt most concerts have an equal level of sound quality compared to the systems on this forum. The disparity is downright stupid! I tried to compare one once and almost crapped my pants in confusion.

So rest easy knowing that you will save yourself much heartache and frustations with this understanding. I also almost venture to assuem that its safe to conclude that considering this is a forum for stereo systems designed for use in a home, not many PA systems are going to be considered for use in a home environment. Different horses for different courses??

(#)Yes a case can be built designed around the notion to help you damage your hearing. In fact, a case in not needed at all, a simple set of headphones would suffice. Just play music/noise as loud and as long as possible whilst wearing. Knock yourself out if that is your interest in replaying music at home, or on the go!

(x)Unfortunatly I cannot think symphony, or symphonic, its a character flaw, I know. But, I can answer you next question, about how much live unamplifed music is really available. obviously the answer is eleven.