First, let me state that I don't consider myself an 'audiophile' any more. I shed that burden a while back. I now consider myself, and always have, a music lover. Music is my copilot that accompanies me through whatever mood or situation I might be in, or want to be in. It's always been there for me.
That typed, I have a pretty deep Country music collection that I lean on regularly. There are a few things about the genre that you need to understand. First, this music is lyric driven. Sure, there are plenty of catchy tunes, riffs and hooks but the music is solely grounded in lyrics. Next, and this is NOT a political or religious statement, much of the country genre leans 'right' and based on 'belief'. If you have issues with either of those, you may want to listen to something else.
Trace Adkins may have stated 'what country music is all about' the best in this song;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvRw4dstkE"those are songs about me, and who I am, songs about lovin' and livin', good hearted women, family and God" That pretty much encapsulates a big chunk of county.
Now for a few examples. These type of songs and be found in any genre but country, for me, they seem to bring the message home better than other genres.
Do yourself a favor and listen to each of these songs. Pay attention to the lyrics, not the twang. It will give you a better appreciation of the genre. Granted, this my not trip your trigger but, you'll have a little better understanding of another genre.
Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9TShlMkQncand Don't Take the Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vn6QdqxK3gBig & Rich, Holy Water
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXLC1butGcand Live this Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h18OF8upQ3Qand something a little lighter, Kick My Ass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz7zJ8kv5jkand back to one that we all can relate to (Alzheimer's) Rascal Flatts, Ellsworth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d7COitcsPoHow about something from an ex-rocker Aaron Lewis (Staind), Endless Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL6quWwTiRkNow for someone with a little harder edge, Jamie Johnson, In Color
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYGwxf1gCC4 and, Mowin' Down the Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q6AeOTSiDMI could go on and on. Country is and has been a mainstay in my galaxy of music. I listen to everything. I can find 'good' songs in nearly every genre to listen to. The big thing for me is, does it 'move me'. If it doesn't, regardless of genre, I don't listen to it. And like other things in life, I try to be as open minded as I can. Sure, like all of us, I have person bias' that I try to deal with but I do my best to not let that get in the way of me and (potentially) good music, music that could speak to my sole.
As for the recording quality of the genre for you 'audiophiles', some is really good, others are crap. Personally, I don't give a crap. As I sit here and sing along to Big & Rich stream from my phone to my Klipsch 'The One", I am
singing, NOT listening. That is a key distinction.
....in the end, what do you want your music (or system) to do for you?
me, I want to sing and dance.....you, maybe, not so much
(EDIT) sorry about the jacked up formatting, when I posted this, all of the formatting I inserted went away and turned my post into one giant run-on sentence.