Hypothetically, if going from Sony, Marantz, Schiit am I going to find something that I don’t like about Pass Labs, Conrad Johnson, Coda?
Oh hell yes. :)
I think that our industry pushes you to upgrade based on perceived value ($$$) instead of your hearing.
Instead of asking yourself what is better according to some rag, go out and listen and ask "what is this sound worth to me?" You end up with a better balanced view of not just what the value of equipment is but who YOU are as a listener and what YOU enjoy. Of course I have my brand darlings, but they are MY darlings. If you hear them and you don't like them, what difference does it make to you what I like, recommend or have waxed romantic about here? Same for reviews and the brand machines out there.
Audiophiles who have given up upgrading for the sake of upgrading and have realized what they like and what sounds good for themselves end up happier and wealthy. :)