I help a community archive prepare old concert recordings for private sharing with former performers. One recording has a lovely room sound and an expressive singer, yet several quiet passages contain small digital chirps that pull attention away from the music. I want to improve listenability without polishing away the atmosphere that makes the recording meaningful. During my research I found this comparison page. It seems relevant, although I would rather hear from people who have restored imperfect live material. My question is how to set a sensible stopping point. The archival ambience is meaningful. A controlled sample can guide the first decision. I can compare individual passages before processing the full file. The restoration should remain subtle. Any change must respect phrasing. I need clear settings for future copies. A quiet listening pass may expose unwanted side effects. The audience reactions should stay intact. The singer’s voice must remain warm. Each adjustment should remain clear to document. I will compare it at moderate volume. I would rather preserve a little imperfection than make the result sterile. How do you decide when a restoration has become too ambitious? I would appreciate preservation-minded advice.