At the top of the line is it really all that different?

I own a few items with unimpeachable sonic credibility. An original version Schiit Freya who's slightly more recent version got a Class A rating in Stereophile and costs about a grand (NOS GE tubes are my favorites in that thing). I bought it because it sounds great and is very flexible like a sonic yoga mat. Also, a well regarded Dennis Had Firebottle SEP (late 2016 version) that is somewhat obscure but, again, sounds astonishingly good. Bought barely used in early '17 for maybe 1100 bucks, and is a tube rolling delight. A Pass XA-25 that is also rated Class A and was around 5 grand. World class. Expensive stuff? HA...go ahead and plunder your bank account for what might make you feel better even if it likely doesn't sound better...I can afford pricey stuff but but, meh, the items described above give me many hours of satisfaction un-dimmed by ego driven gear insecurities. 

Personnaly, I decided to buy good quality products that are not esoteric or over the top expensive to re-build my system for retirement . Part of the hobby for me is to upgrade different parts of the system over time to really enjoy the diffirence at each step. I try to find good conbinations based on the sound I like. Organic and a tad warm, not too analytical.

For example I just got a cardas beyond Power cord that I found on sale at a retailler. Last fall I upgraded the tonearm on my Linn with a used Arko at 50% off.

Since I pick quality products and brand names, I get good selling value if I want to upgrade.

Good luck in your journey.

Stereophile class ratings hold little to no value. They overate(grade) budget gear to drive sales.

Many if not most reviewers give glowing reports because they get the gear for free and either then buy it at a much reduced cost or simply like having all the latest stuff to play around with for a while. If a reviewer gave consistent negative reviews, manufacturers would stop providing them stuff to review, for obvious reasons. To answer your question, there isn't very much difference that can be objectively identified in any of it regardless of the cost and zero difference with things like interconnects or speaker wire.

I'd like to add another dimension to the satisfaction matrix of audiophila (?): circumstances of purchase.  Seven years ago I was a regular visitor to the Seattle CL for audio although I lived on the east side of the state.  For weeks myself and the rest blew right past a Time Frame post.  Slightly blurry, 300 dollars.  Just another pair of old TF400 or such.  Finally one day I took a closer look.  TF2000?

A quick google search had my trembling fingers trying to dial.  A brief conversation and a PP deposit and the pair were mine.

Fast forward to now.  I have loved the sonic magic of these hammers the WHOLE time.  Are there better speakers on paper?  Sure.  I find the imaging and tall soundstage to be all I need.  Effortlessly dives into the deep end.  And I still smile when I think of how I got them.

I power them with a Proceed HPA 2 via a Lexicon MC-8 Controller in analog 2 channel bypass mode.  Nothing but praise for both online and the three play so well together!  Both components bought for much less than original price.  Older gear hold its own against the new at a significant discount.  The SF Bay Area CL is loaded with bargains of gear flippers like the folks in here, thank you!

I recently bought a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 Gen2 for 1000.  Backups for when something goes south in sn 446 or 447.  No one can say it is not a spectacularly great speaker.  Yet my 2000s remain.  Not one to waste such great speakers I took them to my local cannabis dispensary.  I brought a little Audionics CC-2 amp I picked up for 60.  Ground breaking design in it's time, made in Beaverton OR.  A cheap but good Rockville PPA53 BT capable pre and my owner friends, employees and customers get a taste of the high end.  A LOT of compliments by some knowledgeable customers.

In the end does your music make you smile?  Time to quit climbing and enjoy the view...