This is still one of the better threads...
I recently upgraded my speakers, swapped an integrated for a preamp & power amp and swapped a SONOS Connect for a $3K streamer & DAC.
All a major upgrade. For sure. But when you directly compare costs and what your ear is actually measuring you discover this is all more complicated than you first thought. Some music sounds so much better and some sounds just different and some not so great recordings actually sound worse.
I recently upgraded my speakers, swapped an integrated for a preamp & power amp and swapped a SONOS Connect for a $3K streamer & DAC.
All a major upgrade. For sure. But when you directly compare costs and what your ear is actually measuring you discover this is all more complicated than you first thought. Some music sounds so much better and some sounds just different and some not so great recordings actually sound worse.