The argument against upgrading

The problem is not upgrading in itself...

Upgrading is usual and normal if we are with broken piece, non synergetical piece, or a piece not at the same level than other pieces...

the problem is the race to upgrade with always more costlier pieces without end...

The problem is basic knowledge  studies and basic experiments, and basic optimization process often are replaced by gear pieces propositions which replace then  our necessary thinking process, programmed as we are by audio marketing ideology...

Then some thin-tin-mind can claim that some audiophiles happy with their low cost system are ignorant, or losers or deceptive troll because they claim that optimization matter more than even very useful upgrade ...

Why upgrading matter less most of the time than optimizing ? Because we cannot evaluate properly a non optimized system nevermind his price if we had never heard it at his peak optimal working potential AFTER optimization...

The truth is audio satisfaction dont suppose a lot of money but instead a lot of knowledge...Basic one in mechanical,acoustical,electrical and DSP working dimensions...

We as consumers are often sleepwalking mind open to all kind of marketing conditioning  ploy exactly as in politics... Knowledge protect us...I can say it because it was my case not long ago ...

«What is a thin-tin-mind and how it differ from a tin-thin-mind that is the question? »--Groucho Marx studying grammar 

«How deep you are dipping here !»-- Harpo marx

Interesting topic. For me, the answer lies in the difference between sound quality - which can keep improving as new tech is developed, likely with diminishing returns - and enjoyment. 
In any endeavor, greater knowledge and experience raise expectations and refine tastes. Once you've sampled fine wines, the one-buck chuck becomes less satisfying. 
As they say, "comparison is the thief of joy".
For years, I tremendously enjoyed music via old Onkyo speakers I got from my dad. Then I started 'upgrading' and learned the journey can easily be never-ending. 
I have to admit that at this point, that journey - discovering and implementing improvements in sound quality - is about as important and as much fun as the destination - deeply enjoying listening to music, often for hours on end. This is true for any hobby, I guess.
I do feel that the search for and appreciation of better components, synergies, room treatment and interaction, etc, have also altered my appreciation of music. I tend to listen less to music as a background to other activities and more as a focused, stand-alone experience, often listening for hours on end. 
I don't think I enjoy music more now, on my better system, than I did in the past, but I enjoy it differently and with a new interest and vigor. 
 

@woutb 

Nicely put. Thank you.

Sound quality is objectively out there. Enjoyment of music is an individual’s inner subjective experience. They are closely related but not necessarily synonymous.

“Just because you can, don’t mean you should”

Joe Bonamassa

But I did anyway and now I’m returning it. 
 

I’ve learned a couple things in this discussion. 
   Don’t sell what I’m replacing too fast. 
   Rotate speakers and/or amps on hand. 
   $ divided by improvements, was it worth it

Well said!

Sound quality is objectively out there. Enjoyment of music is an individual’s inner subjective experience. They are closely related but not necessarily synonymous.

Sound quality is related to acoustical and psycho-acoustical parameters linking a system a room and a pair of ears attached to a head...

Enjoyment of music is proportional to our perception of music through or brain /heart/body... The 5 th Symphony of Bruckner is not made  just of sounds but of meanings which we must learned  and are available not only through our perceptive body but through our feeling heart and delivered, received or not, to our understanding mind...The symphony may be even partially understood reading a sheet of paper ...

Then the enjoyment of music is related to sound quality  through not only  our body but with it  but through our heart and with it  and through our mind and with it ...(there is not much short time memory of sound quality but there is a long term memory of sound quality hidden in our unconscious/conscious feeling body )

Most people listen music with, each one of them,  a different access to it because of their personal history of the relation between their body, heart and mind...

Most people will never learned anything from Bruckner 5 th symphony nor from Ali Akbar Khan or from Nigerian Yoruba  Speaking drum or from Sun Ra...Or Philip Glass ...Or Scriabin...Why ?

Music like acoustics must be learned...

Tastes suit crocodiles,as human we must develop ourselves beyond basic tastes for repetitive rythms or simplistic moods or commercial programmings...In the same way knowing acoustics basics help us to free ourselves from marketing audio upgrades  squirrel circle..

Acoustis basics must be learned too as music...

There is no tastes in acoustics as concept only psycho-acoustics biases created by our personal history which limit us facing all possibilities, biases must be eliminated or replaced by training not by impractical double blind test ...

«Are you not a bit snob Bob ? »--