I get the notion that incremental improvement in one aspect of the system can improve the overall sound of the system (and reveal other weaknesses, shortcomings or colorations). But once a system reaches a certain level, getting those incremental improvements usually does cost more money. (Let's leave aside low and no cost tweaks and set up issues for a moment and assume all that has been addressed).
I know this sounds like $=improvement but the reality is, the better phono cartridges within a given brand, to take one example, tend to be the more expensive ones. Is a ten grand cartridge a worthwhile investment? Perhaps, in a system with other issues already sorted. Is it going to materially improve a system with other needs? Probably not as much- or put another way, probably not as much as addressing the other shortcomings first.
So, one brings the entire system up to a level that arguably has no pronounced 'weak' link; sorts 'mains' power, room, set up, etc. Gear is top level, whatever that is, for the sake of argument. Now add that top tier phono cartridge. Will it be a noticeable improvement? Maybe. If properly matched with arm, tonally compatible with the rest of the system and the listener's bias, etc. To get a system to a level where all that makes sense costs time, effort AND money. And it is at that point that somebody could reasonably say, 'it may be better, but it's not really worth it to me to extract that last '--nth' from my stereo. And i'm not spending 10k on a god damn cartridge, no matter how good it is!"
So, I'm having a hard time accepting the idea that these incremental improvements - investing more to extract that last iota- don't cost more money. I think the reality is, they do. I also don't find % characterizations about improvement to be very helpful. It lends a false sense of being able to quantify and compare differences that are largely unquantifiable, though real.
If the message is, pay attention to all the details in set-up, placement, room, mains power and the like before going out and buying the next piece of expensive gear (with the expectation that your system is going to drastically improve as a result), I'm totally on board with that.
Have certain components made a dramatic difference in my system? Yes. But, the system was already pretty dialed in and everything else was at a pretty high level of performance, so I knew where my 'weak link' was.
Where have I seen the biggest difference in sound at this point? The pressings. I'm satisfied enough with what my system does in my current room that I've been spending most of my time on sourcing the best pressings of the music I like. And there, you can find dramatic differences in sonic result. From flat and lifeless to vivid and punchy and alive sounding. Unfortunately, many of these are old pressings that are known as better sounding, and finding them in unmolested condition is neither easy nor cheap. I suppose someone could have the same reaction there, too- I'm just not going to bother buying that XXX pressing, even if it is better. No way is a record worth $XXX dollars. And I get that too.
