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True. It is called priming: your mind is preparing itself for something special and it makes you enjoying the thing more.

>The mythos of the Stradivarius is 100% about look and feel as opposed to anything real about the sound.

Nope. The Strads do have a great sound. The fact that select modern instruments can make equally great sound does not in any way diminish that for most of the last two centuries, Strads were among the very best-sounding violins.

Nope. There have consistently been instruments which are indistinguishable or better for roughly 100 years. Stradivarius:violin::Rolex:timepiece

Well, Stradivarius was exceptional at the time, and the fact that these violins still hold their own after more than 2 centuries means that it's not just look and feel. But yes, there are (some) better instruments available nowadays and we are also able to simulate any instrument available with outstanding precision.