>Beginners care about gear, professionals care about technique, masters care about sound. Caring about sound means caring about gear. I don't know any masters

>Beginners care about gear, professionals care about technique, masters care about sound. Caring about sound means caring about gear. I don't know any masters (and I know a few) that don't obsess over the gear they use in order to get the perfect sound. Shit in shit out. I think this also applies beyond music: Masters optimise at every link in the value chain.