Playing or hearing the real thing, unplugged, is the ultimate reference.
Most say the auditory memory is short. That could be, but you do know when a (blank) sounds like a (blank).
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In psychological terms you just described the difference between recall versus recognition.
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In my experience, live amplified sound is usually awful. As a rule, the person running the house mixing console is usually deaf, always overtired, normally disinterested. One or more of the ensemble is too low or too high in the mix. Striving for live sound at home would be easy. A small amplifier, driven well into distortion, and crappy speakers working too hard.
Unless you are talking about unamplified piano, bass, and guitar. Of the thousands of shows I have seen, there would only be one or two shows like that. If this is what you are talking about, your thoughts have almost zero relevance to my experiences.
I would much prefer my system to sound like what the mixing engineer hears in a recording studio. Live sound? No thank you.
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AndâŚGeorge is a tube guy!!!
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Yes, most live sound suffers from a bad room and a bad system. Generally, however, the sound guy is trying his best to make it tolerable and most people out of the mix position suffer even more.
Iâve spent a lot of time in support of that effort as the sales manager for a mixing console company.
Good or bad show sound usually lies mostly in the talent and the venue.
I think the exception to your preference for studio
recordings versus live, which I share, is at the symphony. Here, halls and talent are less variable and there is no sound reinforcement system.
Iâve heard hundreds of concerts at the Chicago Symphony over the years. Most good, some not so good. But as good as many classical recordings are, they just donât match this live sound.
But thatâs ok. Itâs a great reference point to enjoy and evaluate oneâs system. This is what lâm talking about.
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I have aged out of most live shows. Dickheads with their cameras and often too many tickets sold for the venue.
Whatever it is, it will almost always sound better at homeâŚ
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I still go see Yo La Tengo every chance I get. Their crowds are Reverent. Always. Last time I saw them it was in a usually way too chatty room. The crowd was so silent they kept bringing it down, quieter and quieter. It was heavenly. It is always like that when I see them. People even carefully and quietly dispose cans and bottles when the time comes. Mmmmmmmm.
They deserve such reverence.
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Being aware of Alâs many friendly trips to fellow rabbit-holers, I wish to recognize him with a traveling companion. Safe travels my friend,
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Truer words never spoken. Best when the musicians "play the roomâ and amplification is not used. IME typically small club locations. Four immediately come to mind, Milwaukeeâs Jazz Estate, the original Art Lit Lab space in Madison, North Street Cabaret in Madison, Chicagoâs Green Mill, and Ken Christiansenâs Pro Musica in Chicago. Buzz Kemperâs Audio for the Arts recording studio is exception for salon style listening, typically an audience limited to 20-25 individuals.
I gave up on stadium venues ala Soldier Field, outdoor venues ala Alpine Valley, and converted vaudville houses ala The Aragon Ballroom decades ago.
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Great list of good venues. I would also add the Hungry Brain in Chicago. Being careful that the
band does not âoverplay the roomâ goes a long way for a good time.
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I had intended to add the Hungry Brain, and somehow it dropped off the list. My favorite of all the Chicago venues, Pro Musica is second as no bar is offered.
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If only these were my upgrades.
The power cables are borrowed and have to go back to their generous owner @straightwire
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Whatâs the verdict? I see a very nice Pangea in the last photo. How do they compare?
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Those tuning rings are too close no wonder they are only partially blowing your mind! 
Move the rings 3â away from the component and doves will fly out of the FR20âs!
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That cable doesnât need to get back to its owner.
Anytime soon that is.
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Did you really like the tuning rings against the plug like the picture showed? Have you tried another position? You need to borrow at least another day to adjust them, then you can really hear what Stealth could do. 
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Suggestions�
Be nice to @paul172
LOL
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At least a different Paul starts on the correct side. I think I settled with the ring 6" away from the plug, but I have not had enough time to play with it yet.
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Thatâs where @straightwire leaves them.
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