Actually,his comments stack up very nicely!
Nobody says there aren't better sounding pre/pros out there,but you will encounter with the "diminishing returns" much sooner,then with speakers.For instance the difference between my soon to be "ex" mains Def Tech BP10 and say the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens,the price differences are roughly the same as the 950 and Stage 1.Which upgrade do you prefer? The room correction,and acoustical treatments,can be a lot less,or more depends on the room,never the less it's far more important then swapping electronics,something most of the "audiophiles" fail to address,or "understand".
Also lets quote MSRPs in context to reference,and not "Krazy Eddie" ones.