Hi Stephen, thank you. I guess you answered my most pressing question
-- is it possible to reproduce live music accurately for $500-$750 --
and the answer seems to be "no."

So, that being said, I suppose I am now asking for a specific
recommendation. Or is sound reproduction so subjective that anyone's
recommendation outside my own experience is irrelevant? Maybe I need
to find someone with similar musical tastes (live jazz, classical,
acapella vocals, theater) on a similar budget.

I guess a good followup question would be -- can you buy sound
reproduction components based on specs alone and expect the result to
match the specs? I'm thinking that if that's true, then Consumer
Reports recommendations are as good as any, and better than a
salesman's.

Thank you again!
Bryan