Harley quote

audio2design

Apparently what I wrote was too nuanced for you to understand Cleeds. My apologies. I am sure it was clear to most.

Don’t be silly. Your "nuance" doesn’t conceal your ill logic. If two components can objectively be shown to be different, then one can be shown to be superior to the other, at least in theory.

... in reality at some point there is no audible improvement, and many changes are only different, not better. 

Many of your pronouncements suffer from faulty logic, @audio2design, and I just ignore them. But this one was exceptionally absurd.

Audiophiles with more money than common sense have gone beyond diminishing returns they've reached negative returns. 

djones51

Audiophiles with more money than common sense have gone beyond diminishing returns they’ve reached negative returns.

With only rare exceptions, pretty much all audio equipment results in a negative return because it depreciates so quickly. Audio equipment is part of a hobby, not an investment.

Nuance does seem to be lost on this fellow.

@cleeds - @djones is talking about spending money and getting worse sound. Of course it is a bad investment - no one is talking about that. We are talking about value in improved SQ for each incremental dollar spent. The law of diminishing returns (for audio equipment specifically) just simply states that all things being equal, for each incremental dollar spent the sound improvement decreases. Of course if poorly paired equipment (or just overpriced stuff) there can be a degradation. It is most appropriate/evident within a product line of a manufacturer. 

In the discussion of an overall integrated system, you can talk about new HVAC systems, new power lines, room renovation, beyond equipment.

When dealers pay 60% (or less) for equipment, most used stuff is immediately depreciated that 40%. Now, if you can find equipment that holds that 60% long term, you have better value, especially if you buy it used.

I am trying to help cure people from upgradeitis, and to enjoy what they have and improving their existing equipment with the positive connotation of tweaks, where they are audible, not just measurable.