What Is Most Important?

@islandmandan ,

Hi, dan. What preamp do you have?

A good recording.

It’s amazing how they have that knack of sounding good on whatever system you play them on - from PC, ghetto blaster, car, home system to headphones.

Here’s a good example from 1956 that I’ve yet to hear sound bad.

Apparently it was produced by none other than George Martin.

My DAC and my Music Server

#1 is the right blend of Sativa. A good recording (no definition of a "good’ recording available) helps.

There is the rub. Good to me might be bad to most others. If you had found it you wouldn’t devote precious time to scewy questions

The music that's being reproduced.... 

As Syntax posted, the preamp has had the most profound positive effect on my system's overall performance. I don't have to listen as loud anymore to hear what the music really has to say, especially in softer  moments.

Just a complete transformation in listening enjoyment.

Regards,

Dan

+1 @blisshifi . My mood on a particular day can make the difference between enchantment and . . . disenchantment.

The ability to present live performers in room experience. I want every listening session to be totally engaging, like I'm getting into performers heads, a personal musical experience with these individuals, they're speaking to me.

Preamp

Content, r2r tapes and lps best, and sharing with like minded friends.

Musicality… the emotional connection allowed by my system to the source material.

"...allowing myself to be transported ..." Beam me up Scotty!

A good recording!

My mindset. Striking a balance of having a perspective on a system’s and piece of music’s performance and enjoying it. This entails having the convictions on a system’s performance while also allowing myself to be transported even if one system’s “delivery” is of a different presentation than another. And enjoying the journey, as ultimate enjoyment comes from the rewards of at times overcoming frustrations.