Yes, the music is paramount. But it has to sound good. My breakthrough was when I realized that everything sounded great on the system. The days of only seeking out the best recordings on the quietest vinyl were over. Particularly striking are 50s and 60s recordings. It took a while to get here. It’s a small yet significant achievement.
Testing your system
In testing your system, check whether the musical message is coming through rather than looking for sonic perfection.
I find that is the key to fulfillment.