Well maybe it IS my hearing

I think hearing acuity is only part of the equation as had been mentioned above. And physiologically acuity of sight, taste and hearing are no more than half of the equation that results in perception.

Many people have exceptional vision but do not observe well. I'm sure hearing is no difference. I think one can train for that. But like so many other human attributes, some people are superior to others in some aspects.

Here at Audiogon those claims of superiority seem to abound. But I suspect that is natural for a site about fine audio.

I know that my high frequency hearing is diminished. I know that I have bilateral tinnitus 24/7. But I know that for me there is a bigger problem. I have a hard time being consistently objective about finer points of hi-fi reproduction. In other words, I can frequently hear differences with various component/media changes but often can't tell if one is superior to the other. Likewise, I can hear the same media on the same system and it sounds different to me from one day to the next.

But I also know that I love music.

And I like the way it sounds on my system. 

So I am not on an upgrade treadmill and never will be.

For me this hobby is not a pursuit. It is not a fetish.

None of which is to say that I might not change components but that will have a lot more to do with moving towards a decent streaming setup than a pursuit of some unattainable standard.

All great responses except one....sfar. Take an audiogram taken by an audiologist of two people with exactly the same hearing ability. Then, take those two people to audition music equipment and music styles and see how much they agree on everything. Probably not a lot.
Sound and music perception and taste is so subjective that no real comparison can be made. Sure, really bad sound can be heard by most but aren't we splitting hairs when it comes to finite details as pertains to different individuals?

You can learn to listen.  Start with 
Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals https://www.amazon.com/dp/1598630237/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3qrWCbFY97CFX

I agree with the perception issue.


As I've mentioned, we can learn a great deal from Machine Learning and Deep Learning about how perception is something we learn.

Do I really want to be the person who can taste a difference in $300 bottles of wine, or one who enjoys $30 every week?


We do that to ourselves a little too much.

Best,

E

Sometimes I wish my hearing was less acute.My savings account would be happier:)