True... As I'm always reminded by my elders- everything in hifi is relative.
If I had the cash and Naim, I'd go for a Fraim. If the WTL sucked on the Fraim as I'm told it does, then I'd get something like a Quadraspire wall shelf. If i didn't want that then maybe I'd go for an LP12 to go on the Fraim..all things have to match, you know....
Even though I was told by said elders to stay away from the XTC , after being cajoled by Rob I thought I'd try it anyway- I like to play! It'd probably end up in my hifi junk drawer along with the Herbies and their ilk, but hey. It is a hobby after all. Yet now after Rob's friend graciously debunked him, I think I'll let it lay...
Same thing happened to me with those fancy Pierre maple boards and wafers under the Amadeus. Oh boy, I thought. This certainly takes it to a new level. And it did do some things impressively yet they ended up being only sound things and actually ruined the music making. My listening panel - the elders- were seriously displeased and after removing it showed me the error of my ways.
Let me give one more example of why I think a good/ great rack is as much an investment as that dreamed about amp/speaker whatev...
I know a gentleman in my town who has all Audio Research reference gear, great sources, cables, all sitting on Salamandar racks. I know a guy who has the middle level ARC gear sitting on Quadraspire racks. The lesser system plays music far better than the reference one. It's so much more engaging. You cannot argue with it. You can't get defensive. It just is.
So that's why I keep pondering why people won't spend for a quality rack....