Since all systems sound different -- even the same equipment when in different rooms -- no one knows what the musician, engineer and producer "intended" unless you were present in the studio with them when the session was recorded.
So, for most of us, it always boils down to our personal preference when playing a recording in our home. However, those who routinely listen to live music, especially live acoustic music, probably have a better baseline with which to gauge whether or not their system is doing a good job of recreating the music.
So, for most of us, it always boils down to our personal preference when playing a recording in our home. However, those who routinely listen to live music, especially live acoustic music, probably have a better baseline with which to gauge whether or not their system is doing a good job of recreating the music.