There are some of us who are more impressed by the $$$ spent on our systems than on the sounds that come out of them. My ears are 54 years young and there is no way I can make a distinction fine enough to tell anyone what wires are used or which CD player sounds best. What it ultimately comes down to (for most of us) is the usability of the system and how it sounds. If the system isn't flexible enough to marry all of the various formats that are out there it won't stay long. Just as two pianos or harps sound different, so do systems. Just because someone thinks a system, they have never heard, appears to be the end all/do all doesn't make it so. Many of us just enjoy trying to get the most out of our current systems and have to fight like hell the upgrade bug.