How good is good enough?

The answer/answerS aren't so utterly defined by the gear as they are defined by the room, + the actual recording.

Now if I had a room with bang on acoustics that was 18-20ft wide at the front wall and 26-28ft wide at the rear wall. 36-40ft long, with a coffered ceiling 14ft high, then the law of diminishing returns could run hog wild.

One could justify up grading that Denon DL-103R cartridge for a Dynavector TE Kaitora, because in the described environment the expenditure would be clearly audible.

In a room where most of us pee-ons reside (mine is 12x26x8), the above expenditure would be indicative of an individual that has more dollars than sense.

Ya can't make a canon sound good going off in a phone booth, anymore than you can make a pop gun sound impressive going off in a corn field.

How good is good enough? When one has optimized their system to their applicable room!

Enjoy the voyage.