Bad recordings and high end audio

@daydream816:

"My initial thoughts are to pair a tube preamp with a SS amp. So many variables it is overwhelming , however I figure I need to start somewhere lol. "

I don't know what your budget is but if you do not have unlimited funds, something you might want to consider is a Wells integrated. Jeff Wells designed his integrateds with the "SS amp + tube pre-amp" sound in mind. 

He sent me a demo unit (Magestic) to try out at home and he might be willing to do the same for you. 

http://www.wellsaudio.com/

As far as buying direct (or buying from sellers who offer trial periods with a return policy) and sending stuff back, I always do extensive  research before buying anything and have kept most of what I've bought, including my Wells integrated, Simaudio transport and Aqua DAC. 

Be aware that some sellers will penalize you if you return items in the form of restocking fees on subsequent purchases. Yes-- I'm talking about you, Music Direct! 

 There are quite a few options for buying cables direct and there is also The Cable Company. The latter will send you already burned-in cables to try out (whatever brand/model you're interested in). 

I don't see that you mentioned your source-- vinyl?  CD?  Streaming ?
If we knew this, it would be easier to make suggestions. 

As mentioned, the better the sytem, the more resolving it will be-- in other words, the more information it will deliver to your ear. Good recordings will sound better and poor recordings will sound worse. 

As mentioned, you can tune your system to accomodate your listening preferences. There are other members who are much more knowledgeable that I am, but here's a list of factors, in no particular order:

1) The room. You may or may not be able to change its effect significantly, depending upon whether you have a dedicated listening room or not. 

Do not assume that a component will sound the same in your room as it does in a showroom !  !  ! 

2) If you are going digital, your DAC choice is extremely important as there can be wide differences in sonic presentation between them. 
I wouldn't rush into purchasing a DAC nor would I buy one I couldn't demo at home. 

3) Tone controls: You may want to choose an integrated amp with tone controls or else use a Schiit Loki or Lokius EQ.

4) Amplification. There is quite a wide range, from the "softest", most euphonic tube amps to the "dryest", most "clinical" solid state amps. In the middle of the range, there are tube amps and SS amps that exhibit the better attributes of both. There is also class D, about which I know nothing. Do a search on this site. 

4) Cables can make a big difference. This is a huge topic in and of itself!  

5) Vibration Control. I was using a Schiit Loki all the time before I stumbled upon a line of vibration control products that really worked in my system. I've subsequently sold the Loki. The harshness I'd previously  needed to tame with the EQ is no longer an issue. 

6) System Synergy. Choose components very carefully. You can't assume that any random combination of amplification, source, speaker and room will please your ears. Again, I'd suggest you purchase components from sellers who'll let you demo gear at home. Become educated re: the sonic attributes of various manufacturers. 

7) The sound in your head. What do you prefer? If you don't know, it's going to be much more challneging to assemble a system, that pleases you. Your comments suggest you're leaning more to the "musicality' side of the spectrum, as opposed to the "ruthlessly revealing" side. 

If this is true, you might consider either going with vinyl or with an r2r ladder DAC.

"Be careful here. It should read: Good recordings will sound better and poor recordings will sound a lot better than they would on a bad system".

Maybe for vinyl but not in my experience, when it comes to CD playback, nor has it been the case for either of my two audio mentors, both of whom have been in the game a long time and have systems that cost many times more than mine. The better my system's become, the less I can endure listening to poor-sounding CDs. 

Perhaps we can simply agree to disagree in this case. ;o)

@daydream816:

There are those who will only play music that sounds optimal on their systems. Perhaps those salespeople you encountered were of this persuasion-- preferring to let the tail wag the dog?

I say, if you can't play the music you like and enjoy it, what's the point of the system? 

The best thing is for you to take CDs/vinyl you like and try it on different systems. If you are spontaneously moved, physically and emotionally-- go with that. Forget about whether it meets person X's or person Y's definition of high fidelity.