Yeah, I guess it is a bit vague. However, is this not the goal of a good audio system? To play music? Hence, "musical". I do think the recording has to be musical, or it does not matter what you play it back on.

I can't really comment on the tubes, as I don't really have great experience with them. But I would agree in general with the vinyl guys. I have many recordings on both vinyl and cd ( as well as some SACD and DVD-A ), and in general I like the vinyl better. On newer recording, say 90's and newer, it's pretty close. I would say I prefer records maybe 60% to 40%. Older recordings are not even close. Records, hands down. This does not include the newest remasters.I refuse to pay for another copy of Back in Black, Kind of Blue, etc. for perhaps a marginal improvement.

Before I get lumped in with the anti-digital crowd, SACD and DVD-A is a whole new ball game. Overall, I really enjoy the new formats. With very few exceptions, I have been blown away by the new formats. I plan to make the move to multi-channel soon, and this should increase my enjoyment even more. My main complaints are lack of software, and a couple of my DVD-A's are smarter than I am. I can't seem to find the 2 channel mix. Hence, the move to multi-channel.