Forget cables as snakeoil. There's a new snake King in town.

Tube amps and Solid State amps definitely have a different sound.  Class A, class AB, class D amps can all sound different. I think more "dynamic range", can also change the sound of an amp which sometimes correlates to more watts.   I also believe when using components, matching the preamp to the amps (monoblocks or stereo) by using the same manufacturer "could" provide more optimal sound.  Personally, I believe I hear amp sound differences mostly at medium to loud playing levels. 

You guys think this huge disagreement in audio (in all sort of ways) is similar to the blue dress / yellow dress phenomenon a few years back? Meaning part of the population is physically unable to see the dress for it’s actual color.

I'm a firm believer in the premise that all equipment degrades the original source. I think the "snake oil" thing comes in to play when people buy into the belief that all these little tweaks and devices somehow additively get us closer to perfection.

I like to make the analogy with auto performance and fuel mileage. Those of us old enough to remember the emission and fuel shortage debacle that started in the early 1970's may remember the advertising and articles that appeared in the auto magazines of the day. All manner of add ons, tweaks and gadgets promised amazing fuel milage and performance enhancements. If one were to believe it all, you would have had to tow a tanker behind your car to collect all the excess fuel.

Our brains and hearing are complicated far beyond our comprehension. We all hear what we hear and not necessarily what others do. If money is no object, buy with the abandon of a drunken sailor and have fun, but don't tell others that their stuff is a POS. Remember that your opinion is just that and when you bad mouth other brands, as some are prone to, others might think that's their holy grail. 

@llg98ljk so what you’re saying is, if a person see a blue dress as yellow and not blue, that person is not wrong?