Fidelity vs. Musicality...........Is there a tug of War?

Nope.

@sensesundertime

+1

Musicality is what one settles for when deciding not to elevate a system further. A false dichotomy is created (In premium systems fidelity and musicality are not antithetical) to support one’s budgetary constraints, the decision to accept a certain level of performance. The performance spectrum knows no such distinction as fidelity/musical. It’s an arbitrary distinction usually employed to support one’s decisions on system building. Superior audio systems do not lend themselves to being sliced and diced as having fidelity or being musical. :)

I have a highly analytical background, perhaps lIke many folks that take up high end audio. The attraction to analyze,  compare, and improve the easily heard sound quality characteristics is very high. So, as I learned I optimized the most obvious first: bass, details, overall tonal balance, imaging. It was enjoyable, no question. After about 35 years , I had a great “reference” system. It was not overly analytic… but showed off every detail on the soundstage, mastering… etc. Don’t get me wrong it played music, I stayed clear of harsh totally analytical systems.

But through season tickets to the symphony I realized something was missing: rhythm and pace, and real musicality. I turned and slowly swapped equipment until I have the system I have now, which is musical first. Although it has all the details, it is not as if details are in a spotlight. Had I purchased one of the tube amps I remember hearing 40 years ago I might have figured out musicality quicker and had more satisfying systems along the way… but I have enjoyed the journey.

So the short answer: Musicality!!!