Some time ago I posed two hypothetical questions: 1) How big does a system have to be to satisfactorily present Music? 2)  How big can a system get before it interferes with the Music? These are actually two takes on a very complex question, and I do not know the answer, but I do wonder if a locked idea of “perfect recreation” might lead me anywhere but to Musical satisfaction. I have also opined that a smaller system can be satisfying, and a big, powerful system is harder to implement than a smaller system, at least this is the case where “high demands” music listening is concerned. As “proof” of the small half of this, I offer the documented episode where ostensibly sane, “experienced” listeners were totally smitten with the Dunnoys. As “proof” of the big half, I offer any bad sounding big system one might hear. I am not making light of this, rather I am more or less hoping to somehow fall into my own aural wormhole without actually “recreating” anything “en-totale”, but including “enough” to bring a performance across in my listening room. Sure, I am now putting a lot of power into my listening room. But no one is going to mistake the Music I get for a live performance, are they? Certainly not when we’re talking symphonies. But I am listening for Musical Content, a subject I could take off on. I am also often “mining” performances I have heard many times. And, for all the legitimate criticisms of recordings, I have to say, I have been able to newly appreciate my records for over 60 years, now. I do realize this says as much about me as it does my systems or my records; but I also include myself and my personal perceptions in the designs and implementations of my systems over the years. For better or for worse, I really only have to fool myself.>>

Paul S