In Classical music the effect of SQ on appreciation

As in your example where I have multiple copies of the same musics SQ is rarely the major issue. I am usually attracted to simple things like tempos and dynamics that tend to define the performance. Think Kleiber's Beethoven's 5th, or Richter's 1958 Sofia live recording. Kleiber's SQ is OK, Richter's Sofia is abysmal but the performances are essential if not definitive. FWIW, I'm no longer attracted to a recording because of its SQ - I'm more interested in new performers, new music,  new performances of familar music. My system is good enuf for me so I don't really think about SQ, and frankly don't want to. Intrudes too much. (That is why I gave away my vinyl system, I found myself too connected to SQ at the expense of immersion into the music.)

Hard to go wrong with Brendel on Phillips. Either his recordings with Neville Marriner, a tad more relaxed than his later re-makes with Mackerras which have a more spot-lit piano, but for me both are enjoyable. BTW, if you are interested in the Goldbergs, as it seems you are, you should hear Beatrice Rana's recent recording - outstanding I think and I easily enjoy it more than the others which preceeded it. 

One should attend at least one live performance of a Mahler Symphony. The last I attended was one of his 5th. I got to sit in the 'audiophile' section, Isle F (as I recall) and dead center. I was treating a couple of other concert goers who had not yet experienced Mahler except for a few CD's I'd lent them. They were wilted when we left. Oh my.....

Talk about being blown away. If you could get 10 percent of this experience in your home you'd be lucky. RV's last comment on this is correct but it is still, for me anyway, going to be no more than a pale reminder of the live event. 

Thanks for the MTT info. Is his 8th worthwhile? If so I'll get it - I really don't have many and still enjoy/prefer Solti's.