Kind of amazed at this thread. I good system played low is nice but a bad system has to be played low. a bad system when it is turned off your ears feel like oh that's better one if the things I think does that is a bright system. S great system you can listen to for eight hours straight without getting tired of it with total engagement the whole time. With a great system you listen to a whole side of an lp or the while cd not just one song sne on to the next. Personally I don't think it is hi-fi without transparency. That is the first thing I listen for and if it is not at least
least somewhat transparent I don't want to hear more than five seconds. Time to leave the room. When the tonal balance is right and when it is transparent you have the option of what volume you want to listen to. When those are not right you don't have an option on what level you want to listen at the only option is to go turn it off.