I understand the point being made and it does it happen and I think everyone gets tempted.
But…here’s a photo of Carl Craigs studio now.
People didn’t choose to just a few bits, they all they could afford and as soon as they started making money, they got more gear.
Also, they were using £1,400+ samplers in their money, the history peoples money.
http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/akai-s950-digital-sampler/16
s950 Launch price was £1,399 
Actually more even with xpansions…
FOR THE FIRST-TIME buyer the S950 is as attractive proposition a clean-sounding 12 bit machine with provision for memory expansion up to 2.25Mb