Picking up rares in maps

Has Johnathan ever said how he plays end game? He has said frequently he picks up/disenchants during the campaign, but has he said how he gets upgrades in mapping? I feel like if I picked up every yellow I would find an upgrade in about 300 maps that is better than the average gear I have. And if I waste exalts trying to make a yellow better, then that is taking away time I could be blasting to get exalts to trade for something better...