Not a musicologist, neither professional musician, am I, but
the Columbia recordings of Strawinsky directing his works in 1950s -60s (1958 ??) can be a case in this discussion, especially since Igor was mentioned in the posts. It struck me that the master made the individual phrases and instrument performances stand out more individually than later (other) recordings, some of which I appreciate more than Strawinsky's. The instrument "noise", also of the intro bassooon, is well audible on these old recordings (nb), as is the director, and his paperwork.
So it really may depend on the intention of recording and listening and on getting used to.
(The close micing characteristics of instruments are actually there when the instrument plays. Much depends on the frequency dependent attenuation, which requires eq-ing for which Instruments Pro gives a suitable approximation.)
Gerard