Three things I’ve learned about listening.

Thanks for the thoughts...I agree...still working on #3!

Once you finally experience an ultra low distortion system in a good room, you should realize it all comes down to levels of distortion. For some, it doesn’t click right away and they continue down the pseudoscience rabbit holes. 

I myself have to fight like hell to keep those three tenets in mind and listen to the MUSIC.

Yes enjoying the music is so important.  If you procure a system that allows you to forget the sonics and just dig into the music itself, that’s the right system for YOU.  I find myself too often looking at my music collection with the perspective of "what is going to sound good" vs what do I want to feel.  An important distinction and even though sonic characteristics are fun to experience, music enjoyment itself is the ultimately most satisfying experience between the two.

@gkelly if you have first reflections covered I’d say experiment with that switch, especially if there are returns or a demo available!  Also you can build those panels if you care to, just sayin!

It is a fact that some people don’t actually like listening to music….. they just don’t “get it” and emotionally feel nothing of value in it.

Some people will never watch a film again if they have seen it before….. think they will never appreciate it more the second time round.

There are others who do not “get” the collecting thing…. who have no empathy with others who enjoy surrounding themselves with items they value.

Hi-fi and music appreciation is no different to any other “hobby” and encompasses all three points above. You just have to be a person that is easily receptive, who gets emotionally involved with music to understand it.