I've noticed with most hobbies I've gotten into, you pay a certain price for a base level of quality. Beyond that level, you pay a LOT more for small amounts of improvement. So the value is always in that first level of quality. But that's not to say the small increments of improvement aren't worth it. They're just expensive.
I see the same thing with cigars. You're not going to beat the value of a Tat PCR or Illusione R...or pick your favorite 90+ rated $4-5 stick. You can pay 3x for something rated the same. But who cares about ratings?