Just because something is highly prized or valued doesn't mean it's the highest performing object in it's class. They can overlap, but as a rule collectors collect and players play.
Magic Cables and Tubes
I've read here infinitim how one cable sounds better than another or one kind of old tube sounds better than some kind of new tube. I thought this test of great violinists blind testing "great" violins against new ones would be very instructive.
"In blind test, soloists like new violins over old"
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten world-class soloists put prized Stradivarius violins and new, cheaper instruments to a blind scientific test to determine which has the better sound. The results may seem off-key to musicians and collectors: The new violins won handily.
"In blind test, soloists like new violins over old"
WASHINGTON (AP) — Ten world-class soloists put prized Stradivarius violins and new, cheaper instruments to a blind scientific test to determine which has the better sound. The results may seem off-key to musicians and collectors: The new violins won handily.