Do you trust your system?

I usually avoid listening to a "Live" Stream if there is a studio option.

In general the studios are better recordings.

Lately I have been experimenting with several speakers

in search of a new primary speaker. 

I am learning that the actual speaker makes less difference in the overall

listening pleasure than I had thought. 

Now that sounds contrary to commonly accepted thought and just wrong for a lot of reasons so let me provide some of the reasoning.

As I sit here listening to a pair of Time DC TF600 speakers

that are sold for $200-$300 all day long. 

If I blind tested these many would love the sound. Me too.

The associated gear, setup and room play as big a part 

in sound pleasure as the actual speakers.

Anyone want to hear the demo, I live in Phoenix

AZ and will accommodate all takers.

I trust my system as far as it can throw a convincing soundstage.

@steakster my friend read about recordings in the early days of CDs and right before.

You will cry.

OP:  I worry about our critical listening a great deal.  If you are recording or making or reviewing gear then critical listwning males sense, but for the audiophile critical listening should be introspective and learning about who we are as music consumers.

It is hard to make A-B comparison with life concert, especially when best seats are not available.  We assume that sound of instruments we hear thru our system is true and later compare everything to it.  If I have warm sounding system (added even order harmonics) I will never know how clarinet (only odd harmonics) should really sound.  We can still judge dynamics, clarity, extension etc, but it is hard to judge timbre of instruments - at least for me.  Trained musicians can hear and have easy access to reference sound.

If you only listen to your own system, and your system only, you will never know if your system is the best (I am using “you” as in plural, not addressing any particular person), and whether it can be improved. If there is no reference point, there is nothing to improve. And unless you are a billionaire, you cannot possibly buy all what’s out there to try in your home.

You will need exposure. Things like visiting your friendly local dealer(s), going to audio shows, and most importantly having a network of local like-minded people to exchange visits. Bonus points if those audiophile friends are very experienced and passionate, and well heeled. And it’s also a lot of fun. Talking, listening, drinking. Socializing stuff humans do.
 

The more exposure the better. That’s the only way to create a good idea of what’s out there, that you can use to improve your own system. Of course, to your liking and preferences. That’s what I do. Consistently over the past 15+ years.

I go to live concerts too. A lot, but honestly though that’s no help in this regard, as the music I like is always amplified. But I have a great time nonetheless