Bill,
Re: your last paragraph, the source has a lot to do with those sound attributes. Usually a DAC or cartridge with superior resolution and detail (but not of the hashy sounding "false-resolution" variety) will deliver on that. Also, I find that listening at lower volumes with such sources is equally, or more, satisfying and involving compared to lesser resolving sources at higher volumes, making the criticality of ultimate power (but not quality) from my amplifier to deliver eardrum-rattling SPLs less important.
Dave
Re: your last paragraph, the source has a lot to do with those sound attributes. Usually a DAC or cartridge with superior resolution and detail (but not of the hashy sounding "false-resolution" variety) will deliver on that. Also, I find that listening at lower volumes with such sources is equally, or more, satisfying and involving compared to lesser resolving sources at higher volumes, making the criticality of ultimate power (but not quality) from my amplifier to deliver eardrum-rattling SPLs less important.
Dave