Well, there can only be two logical explanations... Either, that in "going back to what was there in the first place", *something* [an influential criterion] was omitted from the equation. Or the lack of difference/improvement or not heard, originally or otherwise, was imagined.
And that possible 'something' (above) exists outside of simply the swapping back and forth of boxes or cables... And yet folks say things such as 'cable-dressing', and other subtle aspects of the set up of a system, are irrelevant
Think again.....
Marco.