We can go broke trying new rods, but I do anyway. How else can you know what is best for you. For example, I just got two new rods: Orvis zero gravity 9.5 tip flex; and another Winston - the heralded B2X. I don't particularly care for the zero gravity. I like the B2X but not as much as my Winston LT. However, I would never have known how great the LT was had I just stuck with the Winston WT which I had

My point is that unless you try the new premium rods you might not know what you're missing. As an example, I have a fishing buddy who still uses an old Fenwick. He thinks it is a fine rod. My bet is if he fished my Winston LT for a day, he might say "I had no idea what casting pleasure I was missing out on"
Just my theory