Cat, the sound of any system is a moving target but it does come down to what you hear. Imaging and sound stage are easy to qualify, tonal balance is not. Without a "calibrated" reference it is impossible to know what you are listening to. It is not at all uncommon to see people prefer systems that are way out of whack. A good example is if I increase a systems treble 3 to 6 db over 4 kHz many if not most audiophiles will think this is better. Distortion over a certain percentage is rather obvious and dysphoric.
This is where good headphones come in. If you are not sure where you are listen back and forth between your headphones and the system. Ideally the tonal balance should be the same at the listening position.
Describe what you hear as an image in a diary with three program sources that you know inside out.
Listen to as many systems as you can. The best systems will float an image in space giving you a sense of three dimensions most systems will only give you two dimensions.
Having said all this, your system is your system and if you prefer it a certain way that is your prerogative.
Others have mentioned comparing a system with live acoustic instruments. How are you going to play live acoustic instruments through your system? Those instruments are going to be affected by the room they are playing in, a situation you have no way of replicating.
Good systems are always an evolutionary process. So you listen to as many systems as you can. Keeping a diary of your experience is always helpful. The system you liked the best is the one you start to emulate.
This is where good headphones come in. If you are not sure where you are listen back and forth between your headphones and the system. Ideally the tonal balance should be the same at the listening position.
Describe what you hear as an image in a diary with three program sources that you know inside out.
Listen to as many systems as you can. The best systems will float an image in space giving you a sense of three dimensions most systems will only give you two dimensions.
Having said all this, your system is your system and if you prefer it a certain way that is your prerogative.
Others have mentioned comparing a system with live acoustic instruments. How are you going to play live acoustic instruments through your system? Those instruments are going to be affected by the room they are playing in, a situation you have no way of replicating.
Good systems are always an evolutionary process. So you listen to as many systems as you can. Keeping a diary of your experience is always helpful. The system you liked the best is the one you start to emulate.