I don’t see a need for a large number of instruments to be present in a recording, making it more layered and complex and hence sound better. In my limited experience, a vocalist with minimal and at times even no accompaniment can give the listener goosebumps, on a well composed track. A couple of instruments is all it takes to have all the variations you need. Also, I found many of the recordings from late 80s and early to mid 90s to be warm and full bodied, not shrill at all. The digital transfers were pretty well handled as well.
Like the German TV series, “Dark”, this discussion can end up going in circles, without any end in sight
