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

"When you go to a live, unamplified performance, of a small jazz group, or even a symphony orchestra, do you sit there and say to yourself ... "Oh my God! ... listen to that detail?"

Music first. Fidelity second."

Frank (@oregonpapa),
There are some really thoughtful responses posted on this thread but you nailed it beautifully! As we both understand that these two characteristics are not mutually exclusive. But given the context and framing of the OP’s question you hit the bullseye.

BTW Frank a few years ago after an enjoyable discussion about our frequent attendance at live jazz venues you took the time to send me CDs of some of your favorite jazz musicians (T. Monk, Cal Tjader, Milt Jackson et al). I still listen to them on a very regular basis. Thanks again my friend 😊.
Charles

Hi @frogman,  +1 As usual. I hope that you're still actively playing/performing these days. 
Charles 

A harmonious balance of both for me please. One should not be at the expense of the other. However, details tend to be much more animated and crystalline with lysergic acid diethylamide.

charles1dad ...

Thanks for your kind comments. And, you are entirely welcome for the CDs. I wish you would post more on this site. As a fellow vibes lover, I miss your input. :-)

As a teenager, I used to go to the Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach, California a lot to hear the Howard Rumsey Lighthouse All-Stars.

Sometimes, I would take a front-row seat that looked up at the drum-set of Stan Levey, who in my opinion, was the greatest jazz drummer of all time.

No matter how loud the band played, or how fast the pace was, there was no "cringe factor" to the sound. Stan just played music on those drums like no one else, while chewing gum with a relaxed look on his face.

That experience was all about musicality and nothing about fidelity.

Take a listen >>>

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=Awr9NVVRrFJhWGMAXkD7w8QF;_ylu=c2VjA3NlYXJjaAR2dGlkA...

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=Awr9NVVRrFJhWGMAXkD7w8QF;_ylu=c2VjA3NlYXJjaAR2dGlkA...

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=Awr9NVVRrFJhWGMAXkD7w8QF;_ylu=c2VjA3NlYXJjaAR2dGlkA...

Frank

Hello ishkabibil.  If you can't an oboe from a clarinet, you need more fidelity. If you can't tell a balalaika from a mandolin (Russian music) you need more fidelity. If you can't tell the sopranos from the . . .   Get the message. You can follow the tune on a transistor radio. We spend the $$ in pursuit of MUSICAL ACCURACY, don't we? Keep smiling!