Does loudness play a part in your appreciation?

Higher volumes can make things more involving, yes. Depending on the components in the system (I switch things around), they need more ooomph to get momentum, come into balance.

Regarding the idea that 70 db is loud, here’s a chart:

Environmental Noise

0dB   Weakest sound heard

30dB  Whisper Quiet Library at 6’

60-65dB Normal conversation at 3’

80dB  Telephone dial tone

85dB  City Traffic (inside 1  car)   

Sound Levels of Music

60 -70dB Normal piano practice

70dB    Fortissimo Singer, 3’

75 - 85dB Chamber music, small auditorium

84 - 103dB Piano Fortissimo

82 - 92dB  Violin

85 -111dB Cello

95-112dB Oboe

92 -103dB Flute

90 -106dB Piccolo

85 - 114dB Clarinet

90 - 106dB French horn

85 - 114dB Trombone

106dB   Tympani & bass drum

94dB    Walkman on 5/10

120 - 137dB Symphonic music peak

120dB   Amplifier, rock, 4-6’

150dB   Rock music peak

https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/decibel-loudness-comparison-chart/

 I wonder if the poll was conducted among classical music listeners if the results would be the same.

Well, if they were looking at the chart I posted, they would see that 70 db is well below average for what instruments actually produce. 

For whatever reason, your level of listening is pretty well below the actual live db levels of classical instruments.
 

To remind folks: 

Chamber music, small auditorium    75 - 85dB
Piano Fortissimo    84 - 103dB
Violin    82 - 92dB
Cello    85 -111dB
Oboe    95-112dB
Flute     92 -103dB
Piccolo    90 -106dB
Clarinet    85 - 114dB
French horn    90 - 106dB
Trombone    85 - 114dB
Tympani & bass drum    106dB
Walkman on 5/10    94dB
Symphonic music peak    120 - 137dB
Amplifier, rock, 4-6'    120dB
Rock music peak    150dB

Am I missing something? Audio rigs produce microcosms of live music. There's no alternative, unless your living room is the size of the venue. Or consider how loud a trumpet is when played by a real person. Do you want that in your living room? I didn't think so.

Given that these are microcosms, it's just up to all the variables involved and there is no right way to listen. 

My source for audio decibel levels:

https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/decibel-loudness-comparison-chart/