@newton_john Taking your question at face value, you ask if an objective, incremental improvement in sound quality improves the subjective listening experience. I can only answer for me, of course, but I can say without doubt when I've improved the sound quality of my system, through equipment upgrades, room treatments, setup changes, whatever, it results in a more enjoyable subjective listening experience. When you attend a live performance, don't you enjoy it more if the sound quality is better?
Whether the "upgrade" actually produces a better sound is a different matter, but your question assumes it does. Its also a different question entirely whether the incremental increase in subjective enjoyment is within our financial capacity and if so, is something that would represent value. The first is an objective barrier, the second is entirely subjective with no right or wrong answer. I've heard $300k speakers at shows, for example, that I thought were fabulous and would undoubtedly increase my subjective listening experience. But for me, leaving objective affordability aside, the incremental increase in subjective enjoyment wouldn't represent value. Other things to do with that money that would bring me greater satisfaction. Economists would call it "opportunity cost."
So, I think this may be another example of trying to divine an objective universal truth from what is inherently dependent on subjective individual circumstances and preferences. I don't think that's possible.
