When it comes to product design, one of the things that drives me crazy is the decision of where to draw the line.
There's always something more you can add to a product: bigger caps, faster transistors, higher bias current, thicker aluminum for the faceplate, more expensive connectors, more elegant packing materials.
All those choices we are obligated to make have multiple impacts that affect price: upgraded anything costs more.
Where to draw the line?
For years my criteria has been to honor the design. If spending a lot more money on capacitors offers questionable sonic benefits, then it's likely best to save the money or apply it elsewhere. If, on the other hand, money spent on discrete circuitry versus a lower cost IC op amp brings a noticeable measure of audio improvement then damn the costs and full steam ahead!
It's all a balancing act—a complex dance that you engage with to build beauty.
Properly done we all win.
