I doubt 99% of casual listeners would recognize a VST in a song they like or even know what a VST is. I can kinda see where you're coming from, but I wouldn't g

I doubt 99% of casual listeners would recognize a VST in a song they like or even know what a VST is. I can kinda see where you're coming from, but I wouldn't go as far as to say the sound gets ruined (or even devalued) for those who paid, just because more users use a certain effect.