I agree to some points it is absurd. Im guessing your paperclips aren't that much better than mine. I listened to my paperclips and then to my dollar store IC. there was already a huge difference in the clarity of the high's and the solidity of the base. If you're not telling the difference perhaps it is time to get new headphones / speakers? or another set of ears would help.
btw. gotchaforce =P mitsubishi's are awsome. they definetly can keep up =) not as stock tho, but thats why we little azn rice boyz MOD!
same way as you'd change an IC in an amp, we can easiliy put another jdm in