Hifi V.s. The music makers

Czar,

Its not hard to argue that the playback adds an additional circuit, so if quality is same as recorded, then end result degrades X2 that incurred during recording.

The playback has to have some effect on the sound. So may as well be the one that tickles the owners fancy for whatever reason.

It's a control thing.

If one does make or produce music themselves, but still yearns to control what they hear, I guess its the only thing left to do.

Whereas maybe if one is able to make their own music, there is less urge to control what the work of others sounds like.

Maybe we're all frustrated artistic wannabees to some extent.

Honestly, I have few issues with most recordings. I'm not saying they are all technically perfect, or necessarily even of high quality, but they are what they are and that is what I want to hear, no matter what. They are technically produced works or art. How they are produced and sound is part of that. In any case, really good material is generally covered by many in many ways over the years, so that produces a lot of options to choose from.

I used to be of the mindset that I liked good sound and hated most recordings. With modern gear, set up well, I find most recordings to have something of interest to offer. That's a good thing when it comes to retaining my interest. I can only listen to even my favorites so many times.