Many audiophiles often use the term musicality of HiFi components. That term is good when used in our jargon to clarify something. However, that notion is fundamentally incorrect.
If we don't understand the context, it can lead us down the wrong path.
HiFi components transmit the signal, transform information data into a digital audio signal, then other components transform that signal into an analog audio signal, amplifiers amplify it and then speakers or headphones convert it into sound pressure. None of that has anything to do with musicality.
What designers face is how to convert that signal from one form to another, how to amplify it, or convert it into sound air pressure - with as little distortion as possible. This is all.
All HiFi components create distortion, even cables. Better components create less distortion. Regardless of whether we sent a music, speech, or noise signal to the speakers. The best components create less distortion.
But since there is always distortion, we users can choose whether we want an expensive device with less distortion, or a cheaper one with more distortion. Within the price range, we can choose which type of distortions we can live with more easily. For some, correct timbre is more important, for others, better dynamics, or microdynamics, etc.
In the cheaper classes of devices, manufacturers themselves create the so-called the sound of the house. Thus, certain types of distortions are emphasized, in order to differentiate themselves from other brands and create their users, people who find this type of distortion more acceptable than some other type of distortion. E.g. Naim previously, especially in cheaper models, built a very dynamic, but flat sound. In the case of more expensive models, this flatness decreased.
The point is that HiFi components cannot be musical, quality is measured only by precision.
Maybe I'm writing things that many people are aware of, but I'm writing for those who haven't thought that way before. And it's important to understand that.
Sorry for the off topic. But this also applies to the choice of DAC.
