i think

the most drastic (yet subtle) realization that has come with high quality listening equipment is that music (well, much of it (well, much of the good stuff)) is produced on -- get this: instruments. and not only that, but particular, identifiable instruments.

instruments that exist in space and cause vibrations in air.

seriously, it wasn't so blindingly obvious, but now, those thumps on the dick dale album are clearly drums (sets of different drums!) and that low, bassy thing on the ctb soundtrack is a bass cello. the chains sound like chains! the snozzberries taste like snozzberries!