Do you like good music? So do I. Run-of-the-mill pop is OK, but I like things with something different. Usually, that means the artist didn't sleep throught the session and the recording was made for someone with ears to hear. For example, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here is still one of my all time favorite's, because it really tries to say something in a unique way. But then, so do the Fairfield Four on Standing in the Safety Zone, even though its mostly old gospel tunes. And Radka Toneff, basically unknown in this country, does a great cover of the "Moon's a Harsh Mistress" on Fairytales, even though she isn't the best singer in the world. But she cares enough to do it right, which is good enough.
Naturally, a good sound system is important. I can't afford one of course, but it is important. The best systems I've heard really did give me the impression that a real musician was playing just beyind the speakers. The soundstage wasn't just a fuzz between the speakers, it was a sharp image that wrapped around from side to side, and picking out individual players was easy. A lot of the stereo magazines are full of garbage, but good sound IS possible, if you build carefully.