What are we really trying to replicate?

I'm not trying to "replicate" anything. I strive to get my system to sound as natural and engaging to me as I possibly can, with the music I prefer to listen to in the room I listen in. Whether that replicates anything in particular, or whether or not it pleases anyone else, is entirely beside the point for me.

I completely agree that there is no absolute sound. Your preferences may be entirely different than mine and neither of us sets any bars for anyone else but ourselves.

The experience of listening at home is entirely different from listening to a live event at some venue. Those two experiences will absolutely never be the same, and there is your only "absolute". Most events that are amplified for the masses will not even hold a candle to the intimacy available on great system. Scaling a symphony orchestra just ain't gonna happen though...at least I haven't heard that yet. Better, or worse?!?...I don't know - it varies with the material and the moment. It has as much to do with me and my state of mind, expectations, etc, as it does with the presentation. I've been to many disappointing concerts as far as their acoustic presentation, and I most certainly would not want to strive for anything like that. I can become intimately engaged with music an moderate levels, as opposed to concert levels..I don't think that is necessarily a given either way. Again, no absolutes and potential for tremendous enjoyment at both levels. How can either sound "too good"? What happens then? Premature ejaculation? Sorry, I don't get it? OK, I do think I understand what you're talking about; I do think my system has the potential to sound much more intimate than most concert experiences, but that is part of the nature of high-end audio that draws me to pursuing it. When I listen to Joss Stone she sounds like she is right there in front of me...I wish she was. At a concert she may indeed be right there in front of me, but the piss poor amplification and or venue could entirely destroy that "intimacy". Jazdoc's standard of "suspension of disbelief" is certainly a pretty good goal to strive for.

I should try to clarify that I'm not saying that a system can sound "too good" in the sense that I don't think people should even want better system, just that at some point we're investing more into playing something than was put in to produce it. Think of it as putting a doodle sketch in a 1,000 frame. Would it be worth it? Only if your kid drew it.

OK, this is pretty silly. It's either important enough to you to invest X$ into, or it is not. It's that simple. You could question the value of virtually anything that way. It's worth what you are willing to pay for it and that varies from person to person. I cannot afford to have Joss Stone perform in my living room whenever I'm in the mood to hear her. The illusion created by my system, to me, is remarkable, and well worth the investment. It's the next best thing to her being here....and way less expensive. I think my system cost much less than it cost to produce her last album as well. I have over 1000 other albums to listen to in my library at the push of a button, not just one. I don't think anyone's system here exceeds what it cost to produce even 1/10th of them. If someone's system does cost that much, so what? It's their passion and they have the means and dedication to invest in it. Arguably, this is all we get and it's pretty brief and fragile. What's not to get about pursuing a passion that gives one pleasure?

I don't get The doodle sketch metaphor. A frame is not an essential part of a doodle sketch. One can view it without any frame at all, and the frame does not add or subtract or change the actual sketch in any way, whereas the music played at home could not exist without the system it is played on - it would be so many various useless plastic discs. If you want to use that metaphor it would be closer to painting your listening room another color to alter your experience of listening in it. The sentimental attachment to a sketch your kid drew...well, what the heck does it have to do with your question?? Are you suggesting that the music we listen to at home is akin to a doodle sketch? If so, I don't even remotely agree.

Listening to music for me is a rather private enjoyment. I've shared it with friends who appreciate it, but I mostly enjoy it on my own. I imagine that everyone has their own ways of enjoying it. Not many folks I know are like me and actually like to spend time just sitting and listening, much less also share my particular tastes in what to listen to.