Zanth, I actually agree much of what you said, especially about the source, though I don't, and can't think of these things as linear, or able to be graphed in a meaningful way precisely because it's all so subjective. I equate my personal definition of "leaps" to when I heard something better (again, connected with associated gear) to my ears, and somehow, and not meaning to or even wanting to, dismissing something as not even coming close (different reasons with different amps). I can still appreciate amps at most price ranges, including the $125 mini^3 I'm listening with right now, but I've also been lucky enough to hang out in the homes of Florida head-fiers, who buy way too much gear to be normal, and hear multiple amps in varying price ranges, though admittedly most over $1500, there as well as at meets. Trying different amps out with the same or different sources and same or different headphones was often part of the fun. Since I'll never own them, it was really about enjoying and evaluating them for what they were. And, again, which headphones used made a huge difference in whether I could pick up significant differences in amps and even sources.
If I included DIY, like Thrice's balanced beta, I'd say $1500ish was where I no longer experienced leaps when comparing gear, but shades of appreciation for varying strengths. Wait...maybe less when remembering flecom's Dynamight (get that cased up already, Frank!
) That's where paying more for an extra 5-10% starting entering in as a consideration for me, as in is it worth it or not worth it. Before that, that definition of diminishing returns never entered my mind. I don't think of things as twice as good or dollar for dollar good. That doesn't make sense to me. Worth it or not worth is does, and again, that's highly subjective.
That said, there are a whole lot of amps I've never heard, so maybe I'll change my mind on all this when I do. That would be nice, especially if they're less expensive. This has just been my experience so far.
