My ear is my reference. I sing in a professional chorus and subscribe is a major symphony orchestra. I want to come as close to what I hear live in a concert hall. I agree that some people have never heard much live music, so they go with what they are use to hearing. Some folks just have a bad ear. But that said, if you like what you hear in your system, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, no matter what you buy.
What is your reference?
What is the reference by which you judge the sound of a component or a system? I see a lot of confused posts here, and listen to a lot of equipment at all price levels that sound phony, which leads me to believe that a lot of manufacturers and consumers don't really know what music sounds like. I am starting to wonder if many buyers of expensive equipment might actually prefer an artificial, hi-fi sound as opposed to something that approaches real music. I know that we are seeking a mere reproduction of the real event, so don't give me that babble about "nothing can duplicate..." That's a cop-out by those who can't hear or have given up trying. What is the aural image you have in mind when auditioning audio equipment? And what recording best represents that image?