I view it quite simply. If I can easily hear it, it is real.
If someone has to tell me what it is or I struggle and struggle and, just maybe, hear a difference, it isn't real.
Hearing is believing. Unfortunately, too many times, believing is hearing.
"I can easily discern and appreciate good soundstage, image, balance, tone, timbre, transparency and even the synergy of a system."
This is all you need to build a nice system and enjoy the music. Most people can't do what you can and, as a result,
audiophiles are a small percentage of the general public.
Wendell