I guess I fall in the 'Hard core' group
I believe in the 'Listen' test (where YOU control the test, not the sales critter). CD's have pluses and minuses: Great Dynamics, lousy rolloff
Different combinations of equipment,
do sound
different (not always Bad.). Everyone hears different. Pick your own equipment and not have someone else choose for you (You can use them to help break a choice
tie 
)
BTW I use 16Ga Lamp cord for most of my speakers, not some hyped
pure copper cable.