Does hearing the best in high end audio make your opinions more valid?

I live near a couple of high end shops and have hung out to listen to several mega expensive systems over the years and always enjoy that. I also enjoy the fact that I can assemble a system every bit as enjoyable in my home, using well sorted and generally far less expensive gear that's been fussed over and made to fit my tastes. That simply comes from experience...does my system sound better than the mega gear at the "salon?" Yes it does, and that is likely due to the fact that one learns things along the way (if one cares to)...well done power supplies, noise suppressing AC gizmos, better sounding tubes, deciding a certain cable fits into the rig without making itself known...my reference is musical instruments all over my house, decades of live music as a professional musician who also mixes live shows, and understanding how to impose my personal taste on my gear. That's it...it's not a pushup contest, I don't require validation from others, I simply make it sound right or change something. A self indulgent personal fun zone just for me.

Well the only reason I asked about what you have is to get an idea of your own reference point.  What have you settled on etc.  you offer your opinions up so much I’m just trying to figure out what you are running. It has nothing to do with costs etc.  I don’t have a lot of huge names in my system but it’s a little pricey and niche. Geokaffit is your system tube, solid state or vintage. It’s not a push-up contest by any means. In terms of best in Audio. Yes it’s very subjective. I used it in terms of what a lot of people consider reference quality gear. I mean I want to hear the best gear I can despite price point. Anyway if something is priced too high I hear a lot of bashing about it’s not worth it etc. To each his own. I’m happy where I’m at and getting what I like out of my system 

I started at the lower end I moved up gradually. I’m pretty comfortable with my ear, my experience with multiple pieces of gear at multiple price points. Like i said to each his own. I think there are a lot of opinions here.  I  personally trust people that are willing to share what they have and have listened to a lot of gear at multiple price points. If you don’t  want to share you just babbling to me. So why even post on the thread if you not!  Useless CARRY ON!

Even worse intentioned than not sharing there is such a thing as intentionally obfuscating and talking nonsense.   Most will not go there but for some that is their modus operandi.   Sad but true.   It's just part of dealing with most things in life. High end audio is no exception.