No one recommended a high end drum - you were the one that threw out this statement, which was the catalyst for this discussion:
Maybe things got a little confusing, but I wasn't referring to anything you posted about price. However, BX told the guy (in her initial reply) that he was going to have to spend a pretty good amount of money to get a good snare. It was actually
her comment that I was referring to. Your reply about the Pulse snare was what the guy was looking for. It's just that I JUST had a run-in with one of those snares this weekend.
I do agree with you about basing our opinions and preferences on ACTUAL experiences with the products rather than what the PAID advertisers try to sway us into believing. You make very valid points. Especially about the build quality. That's not usually one of my concerns, though. I treat all of my snares like they cost me $1000. I've never had a shell to crack, I don't throw them around, I don't leave them in extreme cold or heat. I don't let dust and dirt build up on them. But I LIKE pampering them. That's just one of my things. So I don't mind putting in the extra care as opposed to the extra money. But I DO see your point. I guess it just depends on what you need, want, and what's easiest for the individual.
...I agree with you on this: Same wood on both PDP and DW? Yes, it's Maple. Same "Quality of wood"? Nope. Not even close. There is a reason why PDP is PDP and Drum Workshop is DW. 
I understand what you mean. It's just that I can get my PDP FS kit to sound just as good as a DW kit. I know because it already sounds 200% better than Tony Royster's on his "Pure Energy" video. And that's with old heads!!
My point is really,
It depends on whose hands the drum key is in. Now I'm not crazy, I know I can't get that same sound from a First Act kit from Wal-Mart!! But I've tuned some $100 kid's sets before and they sang! It's all about WORKING until your ears thank you, not SPENDING until your wallet hates you.
