You know when your system has gotten right when you keep nudging the volume upward....when you pine for the next track "just to see and hear what wonders might be around that next corner".

Just one more track. A little louder.

I’ve heard the other kind too.

Bright, etched, and impressive for the first few minutes. Then my shoulders tighten, my enthusiasm fades, and my hand starts moving the volume in the opposite direction.

Down.

Eventually, off.

We spend plenty of time evaluating stereo equipment by the usual markers: soundstage, tonal balance, bass extension, detail, imaging, and all the rest.

All useful.

But there may be a simpler test hiding in plain sight.

Does the system make you want more music or less?

We may not always be able to identify which distortion, phase error, frequency imbalance, or setup choice is responsible for our reaction. Fortunately, we don’t need to diagnose the circuit before trusting the feeling.

When you change a cable, amplifier, power device, setup parameter, or piece of software, notice what happens after the first impressive minute.

Do you lean in?

Or do you retreat?

The volume control may be telling you more than the review notes.