Pleasurably better, not measurably better

@chayro  - You are right and I had to edit my OP to say "technophiles" specifically.  My bad.

I have a friend from college that still has the same receiver and speakers that he bought way back when and is still incredibly happy with his setup. Heck, my brother is really happy with the sound that comes out of his phone! I will never be able to convince them why I have the kit I do. 
Measurements be damned!

@curiousjim You bring up the other side of the extreme.  Systems which measure a lot better, but which for the buyer has no more value. 

This is another case when measurements have no value.  I can't tell that person with a garage stereo my system is worth more if he doesn't actually sense more joy.

Yep, I learned decades ago that if someone is happy with the sound of  two tin cans and some string, there is little chance of convincing them that your system is any better.

@curiousjim - Yep.  And even among audiophiles this may happen.  I just can't listen comfortably for long to a stereo in a live room.  Many audiphiles absolutely can! I envy them.  To them, my room treatments are worth $0.