I don't understand the point of talking about false dilemmas and magic parts. Your claim about incompatibility with mass production is significant. However, let's revisit Paul - iBasso's response again.
There is no reference to feasibility. Furthermore, there's no reference to best sound quality or preserving a house signature sound. There's only reference to keeping the amps widely accommodating after experimenting with some of the mod components. Paul even states that with the predominate IEMs or headphones being used mods can sound more to your liking. Read the lines and slightly in between them. The first person claimed that the changed caps improved depth significantly. More accurately, he called it a "big improvement" and that "now it has actual real depth". Does that sound like something people would dislike? If someone dislikes it, let's displease them rather than the majority of others who'd appreciate actual real depth. I've seen Whitigir mention his modified amp8s a few times. His post on the last page was the first one I've seen to include this gem:
Typically when I see him referring to his mods I don't catch the negative part or possibility. In fact, perhaps I don't recall correctly, but when I was reading a description of one of his mods under pros sound quality improvement was listed. Didn't catch the "this is actually totally subjective and you might find the sound quality to be worse" part under cons. Similarly, the DX200ti with higher quality components escaped the subjectivity clause. You also see specific descriptions of how and why sound is improved.
It's obvious people don't care enough. Ok,
@Paul - iBasso , can you make a $300 balanced amp with higher quality components that some of us with some iems or headphones might find to sound better? A premium amp for the predominate ones, not for general use. That's kind of the point of having amps be modular. You can make a lot of them without having to worry about pleasing everyone. I'll be pleased just not having to wade through this nonsense.
PS
Currently listening to my DX228 with the IER-Z1R and finding enjoyment.