@aberyclark , you've certainly sparked a debate!
I am not a golden ear but here are some observations.
I inherited a NAD 7250 PE and didn't like it for a new system I was setting up in the basement. Got a Rotel Rx-1052. Huge improvement in side by side. Eventually started looking for a better integrated because, after all, it was just a Rotel, and a receiver at that. I got a loaner Creek Classic 5250SE, which was reviewed very, very well. Should have blown the Rotel away. It did not as far as I could hear. There were differences, sure, but I had to listen hard and on some material I still preferred the Rotel, which I would still highly recommend. So I brought the Creek to my dealer and we compared it to a Belles Aria ($1500, if I recall). I thought the Creek held it's own very well. I certainly wouldn't spend $1100 for the difference, although the two guys from the dealer could hear a profound difference. I'm sure they are golden ears. I still trust their advice....mostly. Then I got a Primare I32 class D integrated. $3,000 list; I paid $1,000 - about twice as much as I'd ever paid for any component up to that time. That sweet thing was an improvement over the Creek and Rotel that was not even arguable. I bought it, happily. Conclusion, price doesn't always make a difference; but sometimes it really does!
The area, other than speakers where I think differences in SQ are not imaginary is phono cartridges. Even I can hear the difference between a Denon DL-301 III and a Hana EL and a Dynavector 10x5. Which is best? It depends on the mood I am in and what I'm playing.
I am not a golden ear but here are some observations.
I inherited a NAD 7250 PE and didn't like it for a new system I was setting up in the basement. Got a Rotel Rx-1052. Huge improvement in side by side. Eventually started looking for a better integrated because, after all, it was just a Rotel, and a receiver at that. I got a loaner Creek Classic 5250SE, which was reviewed very, very well. Should have blown the Rotel away. It did not as far as I could hear. There were differences, sure, but I had to listen hard and on some material I still preferred the Rotel, which I would still highly recommend. So I brought the Creek to my dealer and we compared it to a Belles Aria ($1500, if I recall). I thought the Creek held it's own very well. I certainly wouldn't spend $1100 for the difference, although the two guys from the dealer could hear a profound difference. I'm sure they are golden ears. I still trust their advice....mostly. Then I got a Primare I32 class D integrated. $3,000 list; I paid $1,000 - about twice as much as I'd ever paid for any component up to that time. That sweet thing was an improvement over the Creek and Rotel that was not even arguable. I bought it, happily. Conclusion, price doesn't always make a difference; but sometimes it really does!
The area, other than speakers where I think differences in SQ are not imaginary is phono cartridges. Even I can hear the difference between a Denon DL-301 III and a Hana EL and a Dynavector 10x5. Which is best? It depends on the mood I am in and what I'm playing.