I think it`s a good topic. Far to sensible for a an Audio Forum. Are you trying to kill the fun?

What interests me is how people make judgements on all the criteria of the usual "improvements". Ok maybe someone has to comment and why not.

But..........what are you comparing to? EG. " Breathy" vocals on highly produced pop albums .........these sounded more this or that. Does it matter? You weren`t there at the final cut or posess a copy of Mastertape so how do you know it is an improvement ? People say far too much in this hobby and loads of it is Piffle. The other one you mentioned........"oh I noticed a big difference ".....yeah?.....Thats` your wallet telling you it`s just lost weight.. Keep hearing "differences" and the Crocodile Square is gonna end up Levitating

Not knocking the fun of music and gear etc......it keeps us going. To put a new cartridge on an arm and tweak then sit back and absorb.........lets face it that it still fun. DIY building amps speakers turntables etc...........maybe that is more like the New Direction. Also as said....The Room. It`s only ever you and the room. I think I have improved my sound with modding room and setting gear up to sympathise with it. My room was crap ..........thats what needed the work, my humble lil stereo can play music ok.

We can go round in circles at this game. Lowthers are out.....oh they`re in again. Idler is out.....no not now! Just keep what you got? It`ll come back again anyway!
The Music The Music that`s what counts....all played on good gear of course The Beat goes on.......