Yes, this will be unpopular but the way I see it is I have to improve gear, sub optimal gear, in order to continue to compete at an ever increasing level. However, when I get that BIS piece or close to it, now I am out of crests.
I don’t mind if they give less gear, or ever more optimized drops per class spec, or even make it harder to get somehow, but when I get a piece that’s awesome, I DO NOT want to be time gated on leveling it up. Kills the excitement.