Like 'RDavidson' I would never list equipment just for the sake of listing equipment. That seems to be like the magazine reviewers. If I list very high-end components, then some would see it as bragging about my equipment. If I list plain-jane equipment others would say that my equipment is not good enough to hear differences.
Your observations about people's perceptions are completely accurate, but I still don't see why it should stop anyone from listing their equipment. Magazine reviewers list equipment precisely because it helps an informed reader makes decisions about the relevance of the review to their own situation and system. If one chooses to spend larger sums of money on equipment and someone with less expensive kit thinks that's bragging, so what? We live in world where half the population always seems to be upset about what someone else spends their disposable income on, one can't change that. Whether it's jealousy, self righteousness, misplaced do-good impulses, or whatever, plenty of people are going to feel ready and willing to chastise those they see with misplaced financial priorities. The Corolla driver sneers at the Lexus owner. The Lexus owner gives the stink eye to the guy in the Aston Martin. So it goes.
When someone lists inexpensive gear and their opinion is dismissed by someone with higher end stuff because they feel their opinions aren't relevant, that may be true depending on circumstance. Just as discussions among Porsche owners about proper tire choices have limited relevance to Corolla drivers, so it is in some aspects of audio. We all hope that if we choose our gear wisely and maximize synergy, we can put together audio systems that equal the performance of vastly more expensive systems. If you restrict the parameters of audio reproduction one values to a certain set of limited virtues, that might be possible. However, if you want to fill a large room with low accurate bass, a palpable and realistic soundstage, and realistic dynamics that reproduce an orchestra at full bore, you are not going to equal the performance of the best in the world for a bargain price. Just one example: if you've ever heard a properly set up top of the line MBL system, you know you are never going to duplicate that experience for $5k or even $25k, it takes serious dinero.
So, I've quit worrying about detractors at lower and higher price points than my system. Human nature is what it is and people's insecurities come to the fore in online forums. If you're going to participate in these forums, you have to have a little "hard bark" on you, like the sheriff in "no Country for Old Men" said.
