Fidelity vs. Musicality...........Is there a tug of War?

@mahgister, 
No argument from me in regard to the influence of the listening room acoustics. But one has to assemble an audio system to place in the room.
1 Room acoustic interactions
2 Addressing vibration/resonance effects on speakers and components. 
3 Acknowledging the importance of good quality AC power for the components. 

All of these are further fundamental factors in assessing the total picture of building and extracting the most from your audio system. 
Charles 

@douglas_schroder, 
"charles1dad, the performance spectrum is VERY large, and some audiophiles either are only vaguely aware of superb sound at the other end of the spectrum, or simply do not care and declare. It is a sideshow around here watching people argue preference. We see declarations in regard to vinyl/digital, genres of speakers, amp classes, etc."

A good summation. I often think that the vast variety of options offered in High End audio is underappreciated. Each listener has their own unique hearing ability, ear-brain processing of what they hear and then add personal taste and objectives to the mix.

With the incredibly large choices amongst speakers, amplification, source components and then cables to tie it all together the possible end result audio system is as individual as one could imagine. I believe that this is a fantastic opportunity to exploit.

It genuinely does not matter what someone else thinks of another’s choice of components and audio system construction. It only matters what each individual music lover decides which is the best music reproduction and sound that suits them best and sounds most correct.

High End audio is a tremendously rewarding endeavor if one recognises the outstanding opportunity for individualism waiting to be expressed. Depending on the listener in question, Benchmark can get you there, or 300b and all stops between.
Charles

"You’re perfect representation of what Absolute Sound review, I quoted, was talking about. You have great future on this forum"

The Absolute Sound (TAS) reviewer was cited because he finds the Benchmark amplifier excellent for ’his’ taste as some posters here share that conclusion. He was exceedingly pejorative and condescending to those whose taste/listening priorities differ from his own. "Cults", "starry-eyed", really? What he finds to be audio perfection is someone else’s dry and uninvolving.What makes his opinion more credible?

douglas_schroder found the Benchmark amplifier to occupy the "clean/sterile" (White sounding?) end of the sonic spectrum. But to him still a fine amplifier, understood. There are listeners who have even described it as cold/analytical/non-engaging. Benchmark advocates versus 300b advocates spans a broad chasm of preference for certain. Neither camp is wrong as it is dependent on how one hears and what they identify as sounding right.

300b "overly warm" how so? Compared to what? All 300b tubes or amplifiers sound the same? One could cite dozens of reviewers praising 300b attributes just as the TAS reviewer did for the Benchmark amplifier. Come on folks, we all like what we like. I am confident that we all can peacefully coexist😊.

Charles

Hi @frogman,  +1 As usual. I hope that you're still actively playing/performing these days. 
Charles 

"When you go to a live, unamplified performance, of a small jazz group, or even a symphony orchestra, do you sit there and say to yourself ... "Oh my God! ... listen to that detail?"

Music first. Fidelity second."

Frank (@oregonpapa),
There are some really thoughtful responses posted on this thread but you nailed it beautifully! As we both understand that these two characteristics are not mutually exclusive. But given the context and framing of the OP’s question you hit the bullseye.

BTW Frank a few years ago after an enjoyable discussion about our frequent attendance at live jazz venues you took the time to send me CDs of some of your favorite jazz musicians (T. Monk, Cal Tjader, Milt Jackson et al). I still listen to them on a very regular basis. Thanks again my friend 😊.
Charles