True or False?

@mapman

The better they are the less tweaks needed to make them sound good. See how that works?

There is a certain amount of truth there. Yes, the better equipment does sound better. That's why we use the word "better" to describe them. But the question posed was about the better equip responding better, not "needed" as much as we think of our systems, they are not a need. I have found joy in listening to music on the most basic of machines. Do I "need" the better equipment? No. But I prefer it. If you prefer not to tweak, that’s fine with me. It’s your system to do as you please with.

The better the system is the easier it is to make it sound worse. When you are at the top of the mountain the only way forward is down.
Tweaks are for idol worshipers. If it works, it is not a tweak but rather an essential accessory. 

There is a cost benefit analysis that goes on for components such as power cords.  does the power cord handle the current and voltage (load) requirements with room to spare?  yes or no?  Does the equipment sound great with the manufacturers supplied power cord or fuse (for that matter)?  What prompted me to buy the unit in the first place?

The manufacturer has to complete the piece with the parts used, listen to it to determine if it meets their criteria and market it.  Adding much more expensive power cords and fuses (don't get me started on this one), higher end caps, resistors, etc. would make the price of the piece unobtainable for many.  Also, the availability of the parts.  Some "higher end" resistors and caps are from small suppliers that may go away tomorrow.  If you are producing units that are to be around for awhile, you want consistency in sound and construction standards.

So, no, I would not be trying to find the small producer, latest and greatest caps and resistors, If i'm fairly certain that they may not be available later on.  

Same for power cords.  If after listening to my supplied cord with the equipment, I listen to a higher end much more expensive cord and I hear a difference (for the better) but it isn't such that it justifies the enormous expense that would added to the equipment, then I wouldn't go with the more expensive power cord to be supplied.

Also, a lot depends on what you call tweaks.  Room corrections are not tweaks in my view.  That is room correction.  Not a tweak to me.

I believe that most of us has a "I'm there" moment with their system.  If I'm there and the equipment and music performs to the point where I feel "I'm there", then I don't feel the need to do anything to the system.  no power cord upgrades, no cable upgrades, fuses, stands, etc.  

Now when my "trusted" dealers (Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica and Tom Vu of Triangle Art) convinces me to take home a new unit to listen to, just to see if there is a marked difference, and I fall for that, take it home and do A/B comparisons and feel the need to upgrade again, well that is a different matter all together.  

Who knew that a stupid usb cable from the music server to my DAC makes that much of a difference?  

enjoy

Audiophiles have infinite hearing, allowing them to hear down to ever lowering "noise floors" that no manufacturer’s equipment can measure.

Score one for audiophiles.

It is not true mainly because all components are built to a price point so that means the best parts are not always used - think how many manufacturers use V-Caps or Audio Note non-magnetic resistors, and how many components are build with copper chassis or point-to-point wiring.