IMO there is no perfect reel (or rod)that can do everything...that is why you need so many
(that is how I justify it to my wife...another trick is to take her fishing and hand her a wire line rod with an 9er rig on it....then buy her a st.croix with a tridad reel with briad and a yozuri minnow...one more trip and she gets the idea pretty quick.)
Spin reels accross the board are better today then when I was a kid...they plain sucked then, you think they break now...try in the 60's. stuff broke nearly every trip ....that is why everyone fished with conventionals. When spinning equipment was improved, I migrated back to it. Manufactures need to push the limits with higher end stuff to better the entire line. (just like race cars and boats do) Eventually the stuff that really works will trickle into the more common reels and everyone benifits.
Further, I honestly don't judge (or prejudge) a person by the model of his spinning reel or size of is outboard motor and neither do the people I have met here on SB.com. I enjoy hearing others' experiences, good, bad, happy and sad...we all can learn alot. Just be honest. If you think it sucks fine, tell me why, I really want to hear why.
I have to say I have picked up some great info here and I hope I have provided some as well. No one can know everything about all this gear out there we can all benifit.
I like trying new stuff and finding a better way to expand my enjoyment of the sport. I make some bad calls and piss away a few bucks but that is the name of the game. Chalk it iup to a learning experience. But I also find some clever tricks and gear that help me a lot. That is why it is so interesting to "talk" to someone who has done what you are thinking of doing...he might have some helpful advice to sweeten your experience.
peace and good will to all
bah humbug!