What is a high end stereo SUPPOSED to sound like?

You know you've got your system right when your guests stop saying: "Man, your system sounds great!" and instead, they start saying: "Good grief! Those GUYS sound great."

When attending a live performance that isn't hyped up with an amplified sound system, a full classical orchestra for instance, or a small, intimate jazz trio or quartet, we don't think in terms of soundstage, transparency, imaging, low noise floor, etc. We just become absorbed by the music, and perhaps recognize how relaxed the sound is compared with our home stereo systems. A great sound system in the home should give us a some of what we hear in that live performance. I doubt if we'll ever get there, but it's fun striving to achieve it. So, a great home system let's us suspend disbelief from time to time and just go with the music's flow.