Speaking personally whilst your observations are

entirely correct , my attitude has always been if

it works great, Upgrade is used purely by sales teams

everywhere to keep them in business;

An instance to my ears are the great quality of Olders

songs recorded on those Four Track Tape Recorders of

the Forties Fifties and Sixties , and the inferior

quality of much of today's Digitally Processed Audio

One of the most important principles of songwriting is to remember that a good song is a partnership of many different components, all working together to produce a satisfying musical experience.

In that respect, song components are either enhancing or compromising their combined effects.