^ Agreed with the latter.
But shouldn't it be the other way around??? Case in point is the crazy resurgence of MH1Cs HYPE from many of these TOTL fan bois that seems to never had much experience with budget-fi stuff. Wannabe_Bridies MH1 spazzes is a great example of this.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/683007/the-hype-appreciation-thread/885#post_10004969
Listening to cheapos that punches higher than their price tag has taught me to appreciate more of the subtle nuances/ refinements of the mid-fi stuff, and will no doubt make me appreciate THAT much more of the TOTL gears when in the future. But it is EASY, really easy to dismiss/ not appreciate the magic of el cheapo "giant-killers" if your ears has been already spoiled by summit-fi stuff.
It's easy to go forward but it's pretty hard to go backwards in this hobby once you got a taste of the GOOD stuff if you knowhatimeng.
+1
^ Maybe you paid too much for your hybrid??? Cuz those Sony XBA-H3 seems to be doing it for someone. hoho