I'd say engaging it the utmost priority for me, but that's pretty generic. So I guess the question is what makes a system engaging to me.
My system - Bryston B60, Theta Cobalt 307 DAC (hoping the yet to be released Rega DAC will be everything my Apollo was and then some), Apple TV with internal HDD as music server, Audio Physic Yara Evolution Bookshelf. My Pro-Ject 1Xpression with Speed Box II and Dynavector 10x5 are boxed up until I have my own dedicated room again.
1) PRaT - If it doesn't groove, the audition is over about 10 seconds into the first track.
2) Tone - Even if it grooves, if it doesn't sound realistic, I'm done.
3) Tonal Balance - I don't want all bass, all highs, mids, etc. None should jump out at you.
4) Soundstaging and Imaging - I hate listening to 2 speakers. If the sound comes from the speakers themselves, I'm looking elsewhere. It doesn't have to be cavernous and pin point to be acceptable. I've enjoyed the wall of sound approach. My speakers are soundstaging and imaging champs. That helped, but wasn't close to being the sole reason why I bought them.
5) Color/I don't know what to call it - I've heard some systems that do everything right, yet they sound bleached. Or they sound cool and distant. Or they might sound etched. Not good.
6) Scale - If an instrument/voice sounds oddly large or small, it's distracting. Extremes of it will be an instant disqualifier.
7) Dynamics - If the sound falls apart or feels forced during a dynamic peak, it gets pretty irritating.
Obviously there's varying degrees as to what's acceptable and what isn't. There's no substitute for PRaT IMO. I've heard very expensive systems do everything so well, yet get this so wrong to my ears. They were great at reproducing sounds, yet fell on their face when actually reproducing music. It seems like the designers of gear like that get hung up on the wrong sort of details IMO. I've never designed anything audio, so what do I know?
My system - Bryston B60, Theta Cobalt 307 DAC (hoping the yet to be released Rega DAC will be everything my Apollo was and then some), Apple TV with internal HDD as music server, Audio Physic Yara Evolution Bookshelf. My Pro-Ject 1Xpression with Speed Box II and Dynavector 10x5 are boxed up until I have my own dedicated room again.
1) PRaT - If it doesn't groove, the audition is over about 10 seconds into the first track.
2) Tone - Even if it grooves, if it doesn't sound realistic, I'm done.
3) Tonal Balance - I don't want all bass, all highs, mids, etc. None should jump out at you.
4) Soundstaging and Imaging - I hate listening to 2 speakers. If the sound comes from the speakers themselves, I'm looking elsewhere. It doesn't have to be cavernous and pin point to be acceptable. I've enjoyed the wall of sound approach. My speakers are soundstaging and imaging champs. That helped, but wasn't close to being the sole reason why I bought them.
5) Color/I don't know what to call it - I've heard some systems that do everything right, yet they sound bleached. Or they sound cool and distant. Or they might sound etched. Not good.
6) Scale - If an instrument/voice sounds oddly large or small, it's distracting. Extremes of it will be an instant disqualifier.
7) Dynamics - If the sound falls apart or feels forced during a dynamic peak, it gets pretty irritating.
Obviously there's varying degrees as to what's acceptable and what isn't. There's no substitute for PRaT IMO. I've heard very expensive systems do everything so well, yet get this so wrong to my ears. They were great at reproducing sounds, yet fell on their face when actually reproducing music. It seems like the designers of gear like that get hung up on the wrong sort of details IMO. I've never designed anything audio, so what do I know?