One thing I found is that depending on the characteristics of your system it can draw you in to critically listen or to experience. Highly detailed system with pronounced slam pull the focus of your mind to what you have not heard before or specific sounds through their highly detailed character... or their stark imaging. They pull at your analytical side.
Musical systems draw in your emotional side and turn off your analytical side. These soothe your soul. This is why most folks pursue high end audio systems, but often get lost on the analytical side while evaluation and choosing systems. You can end up, like I did at one point, having and incredibly detailed system that would highlight the mastering and venue. While I would get excited by all the great sounds I was hearing, I would get bored listening in 45 minutes.
If you are interested, when your are at a dealer with an Audio Research I/50 or the new I/70 integrated amp and some non analytical speakers. Sit and listen to some music. Don't consider buying... just experience it. It is the most commonly available warm really musical amp. For me, my eyes close and I instantly get lost in the music and couldn’t care less about the speakers or the electronics... the emotional connection is instant and deep for me.