BW wrote:

Could someone answer me this: Where's the thrill in fine audio
reprodcution?

I read somewhere that some guy got "a thrill out of the illusion that
[he] could step forward and shake John Coltrane's hand". Is that what
thrill's you about high quality audio reproduction? Or is audio a
backdrop to some of life's other great delights - parties, sex,
vacuuming...

It depends upon the person's frame of reference. I've been a
musician and vocalist in the past(no record contracts - lol) and
reproduced music is completely underwhelming compared to live
or better yet, creating it with others.

Yet, to my mother, listening to her music at home and live
gets the same reaction.

But, yes, for most people by the time they get into high-end
audio, the magic is gone.