What to listen for?

@zlone Thank you. I appreciate you kind words.  
 

@clearthinker I have the Nutcracker recorded there. One can hear the train passing under.

OP,

I think you asked a great question. One that you would think is easy to answer. But typically the answers will take you in the wrong direction. It is easy to be seduced by being able to hear some musician move their foot or some other tiny detail. But great musical reproduction is not mostly about details. Sure, you want them, but in proportion. Turn on your analytical side and what can you determine? Details… probably making your system emphasize treble too much… strip it of the warmth and reality of music.

‘’What else? Bass, how does your system slap you in the face / chest with the bass lines. But, is this how real music sounds? No, not at the symphony, not at rock concerts… or jazz concerts.

So, while a quick survey of detail and bass is helpful… you need to immerse your self in the music and see if it draws you in. Or does it shout at you? You want a sound that is real, musical… technically with great rhythm and pace… engaging… sure with detail and bass… but has an emotional connection. This is really what high end audio is about.

When I was working having 45 minutes a day was a privilege. Also, a system that showed me every nuance of the venue and mastering was cool. But as I had more time. I would loose interest.

After hundreds of trips to the symphony, and concerts I learned that musicality was what it is really about. My system is the most engaging I have ever heard. I listen for two or three hours a day and have to tear myself away. It is musical. All the details are there, but they are in proper proportion to the music with fantastic rhythm and pace.

@tcotruvo 

I would Rebecca Pidgeon’s recording of Spanish Harlem. I have listened to this cut on a dozen high end systems… in some, her voice makes it sound like she is naked… it sounds like she is thin and almost 2 dimensional… in great systems she has an incredible fully fleshed out alto voice. With only two or three instruments playing, you really get an idea of how the system is rendering what you are hearing. This is a great cut to evaluate systems or components. 

I would just like to caution folks about detail.

I recently auditioned three integrated Amps. The first highlighted detail (Luxman), the second had the detail, but made my foot tap… I couldn’t help but sway with the music (Pass), the third… my eyes closed and I just fell into the music… while the detail was there… I just got lost in the music (Audio Research I-50).

It completely depends on what you are after. For me, it is the musical / emotional experience. Long ago it was analytical perfection… now it is emotional connection with the music.