Last year I replaced a Marantz TT-15 with a Pioneer PLX-1000. The Marantz would generally be considered a "better" machine but I love the PLX-1000 for various reasons and have zero sense that it sounds lesser-than the previous machine. One big thing I've learned is that I don't care one way or the other, and have so little memory of the subjective sound of the Marantz that it would be impossible for me to assert that it indeed sounded better somehow.
In fact, I have zero doubt that if I moved my U-Turn Orbit into my "main" system and listened to it for a few months I would arrive at the very same place, which is pleasure at the sound it produces and no wish for better.
Hobbyist fetishists too often forget the psycho in psychoacoustics.