What does it mean to "reproduce the original performance as though it were live?" Since it can't be done perfectly, it comes down to tradeoffs. I think just about every high end manufacturer believes they are making good choices in the tradeoffs they make, all in the name of "recreating the original event" or "capturing the emotional experience of live music." For some of us, you can't get there without dynamics; for others, deepest bass; for others, correct timbre. Which is "more right"?
I would also say that the goal of electronics, as Lakefrontroad put it, may very well be different from our personal system-building goals. Nothing wrong with that.
I would also say that the goal of electronics, as Lakefrontroad put it, may very well be different from our personal system-building goals. Nothing wrong with that.