The issue is spending money, expectations, and outcomes.
Quality of recording reproduction is secondary… good music is first. Reproduction (my equipment), hi rez files et al are important because they are the delivery system. Better delivery will equal more enjoyment (with music I like). Bad delivery can hurt my enjoyment… but it is the music first… always.
Delivery systems are not my primary hobby, music is. Delivery systems are necessary evil… they cost money and time. To be honest, there is some enjoyment specific to the delivery system… I like writing about this stuff as I am now, but if it wasn’t for the music…
I like buying higher rez, or re-mastered discs of music I already own and love… and then when I spend money and my expectations are high, and I didn’t get what I paid for, I am not happy. I buy a CD I love (say 5 years ago)… now I have a Junior… so I buy Hi-rez of the same CD expecting to notch up my ejoyment of the music… I BUY… then NOT HAPPY… hence my original post.
Music first, delivery second… tempered by cost.
Peace
Bruce in Philly