The natural order of things in the universe turns out to be a combination of order and chaos.
For example, the movements of planets and stars are governed by well-understood laws of physics, and these movements are highly predictable over long periods of time.
On the other hand, we have to accept the idea of entropy: the degree of disorder or randomness in a system.
Taking these two thoughts back to Earth, it's helpful for me to remember this conflict when it comes to my stereo system.
I always approach the PS Reference system with high hopes that it'll be ready to play. More often than not, it turns on and just puts a smile on my face.
But then there are the times when it doesn't: maybe someone's changed inputs, changed a cable on me, changed levels on the DAC. Those are frustrating yet easily fixable. The tough ones are when a long term nudge towards a bit of chaos enters the picture—I need to replace some tired vacuum tubes, for example.
For the most part, the system just sings.
Fortunately, my memory of how that remarkable system should sound is clear enough to know when something has changed.
I'll bet you are just as aware of your own setup.
