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

@gdprentice...Agreed....!

Musicality.

You sum it up....."Although it has all the details, it is not as if details are in a spotlight."

Hjghly detailed systems for me lose out in musicality.  It is less natural.

To the other poster re dichotomy and budget restraints.....this is the high end audio mentality that lends nothing but bad vibes to the hobby.

Detail is great, precise 3D imaging with huge soundstage, sure why not. These things certainly add to the experience. But the minute you achieved correct timbre of instruments and have very musical system that carries rhythm and makes you engaged. The minute it makes you want to listen to more and more there's no actual need to go any further. As fidelity is concerned you need a certain level of it to achieve the above.

I only care about how something measures, not sounds. ;-)