And maybe you decide what you like based on what you read and not what you hear? Or arbitrarily decide. Or have new gear syndrome. Maybe you should stop writing about minute details heard or not, and just enjoy the music, and not worry about the gear so much.
The method I've seen for hopbacking is a challenge, because it requires some fairly specific hardware. But in combination with a wort chiller, it is fairly easy and quick once assembled.
I'm looking into building a mixmasher, right now, too. There's a big gap between "too small" and "too big" in terms of motors...I'm thinking of just going to harbor freight, buying a cheap drill, and using that.