Last summer’s Paradise Lost and King Diamond shows in Greece reminded me that home systems can’t truly mimic a live concert, nor should they. Personally, I value honest treble and a presentation that keeps you tapping your feet. It’s that level of engagement where you simply can’t walk away until the album finishes playing. 
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I don’t think it’s a silly question at all.
I’ve never been tempted to try any recreate a lifelike soundstage, etc. The meaning in the music has been what’s driven my choices although it still took a long time to get somewhere satisfactory.
Why don’t you keep the main setup and try a small bedroom system? Any Nait (except the 5si which I’ve not owned) will be a good music maker.
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I’ve always found live music and great acoustical space to be a rare combination. The atmosphere at a live event is what makes it unique for me.
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My wife uses a little Denon Micro System in the kitchen so she can listen to CD’s whilst cooking and it sounds hugely entertaining though nothing like the real thing of course. At one point we did own a CD5i/Nait5i/nSats and that was a superb little system that, whilst it couldn’t compete with our previous big Naim set-up in terms of recreating reality, was every bit as musically entertaining - if not more so.
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Never thought of it honestly but it perfectly makes sense. I agree.
By the way the OP question is very interesting, not so straighforward as it might seem at first glance.
Personally I look for a hi-fi system that makes me appreciate the layers, ambience, details and texture of music while not sacrificing the pure enjoyinment of listening to it, because music has always to be end goal (even though I like gear too).
Indeed I look for a sound that is involving, emotional and catching for me, so not necessarily perfectly hi-fi as some would say (though a good level is necessary of course). I want goose bumps and emotions that resonate with me.
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I’ve purchased a LOT of gear of late. Not only have I moved to an all tube main system but I’m currently pursuing an active Naim system with DBLs. Two different presentations but the goal is to achieve a system that demonstrates the emotion of the music. I know that sounds absurd but believe you me I’ve achieved it a few times. Sometimes only for a few days.
However when everything gels it’s the most satisfying feeling. My tube system atm is achieving that in spades. So much so I haven’t even setup the DBL speakers and I’ve had them for over a week.
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Yes, the ability to transfer magic moments even at low volumes at night was something we aimed for, apartment building and all. Normal volume during the day. There’s the occasional half hour a day when we can play loud. Other loud is via headphones, which I have just also upgraded to match the upgraded system again.
The better the system got, even with the smallish speakers, the more music just really flows throughout the whole apartment at normal volumes. No need for a kitchen or bedroom system!
ps: it also helps that the previous amp had and the current XS3 has zero channel imbalance..
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What do I want from a hi-fi system? That it fades into the background and lets me enjoy music…
What comes closest to it for me?
My sweet little Muso QB2…and of course, it’s no longer available…
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We used to own two Muso QBII’s until we abandoned all streaming. But what you say got me thinking again and it’s something I’ve long had thoughts about. I think humble little systems, such as the Denon Micro system that we have in our kitchen, although they can’t hope to emulate reality, are extremely entertaining and satisfying to listen to. In some strange way perhaps easier to enjoy than bigger more realistic systems. It’s as though the system is largely taken out of the equation and you just end up concentrating completely on the music, without all the ‘hi-fi’ distractions getting in the way.
I use headphones for low volume only ever since I turned up the volume and triggered a bout of tinnitus. Now only use loudspeakers if I want to feel the bass!
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To help me enjoy my music of choice. I have a system that does that. Since choosing it, installing it and fine-tuning speaker position, I have never thought about the system; I tend to just ignore it and listen to the music.
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Yup, just music I can listen to for hours.
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Pure, unadulterated joy. I want to be carried this place that only music can access. The keys to paradise
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