Music first or sound first?

@mijostyn 

I tend towards the same perspective. Stereo is indeed a hobby.  Music is where the real gold lies. However, when great sound and great music are combined it’s bliss.

my daughter would listen to music on her iphone. All the time. One day I had enough, I had to set her up with a decent beginner/vintage system. She hasn't turned on the iPhone since, other than to stream.  

It's always the "sound" to start, but it doesn't last long.

Then the "music" takes over and I am lost.

I started out listening to the sound until I got my system where I wanted it. Now it’s all about the music.

It's always the "sound" to start, but it doesn't last long.

I started out listening to the sound until I got my system where I wanted it.

These are some of the honest feedback. I am in the same boat.

I think that many  audiophiles feel that they will be looked down upon, if they claim that they are moved by sound rather than music. It's almost like "audiophile" is a derogatory term and "music enthusiast" is the acceptable norm. And yet we try to make our sound/music as close as possible to reality. Strangely 1% or less of the entire human population are the people who care for their music to be reproduced as accurately as possible, trying to get the best (within budget) DAC, amp, loudspeakers, etc.