For me its about the size of the soundstage, transparency (i.e. hearing the smallest details of the recording), and dimensionality. I do think what type of music you are listening to is key. I'm sure for heavy metal death rock there are other parameters one would search for, but for the classic folk rock I listen to, those are my goals. All tube system with 45 SET monoblocks playing Dylan on vinyl, I can close my eyes and feel his presence in the room. The better the system the more aware I become of how the source was recorder and mixed. But I don't think $$ always equates with better. My Cary equipment is marginally better than my bottlehead setup, but really it's mostly about aesthetics. I've never heard an over $100,000 setup, maybe they would blow me away, but I can't help feeling that with the vibrancy of the under $5000 used market some people just have money to burn. It's all good. :-)
