One big difference between the ultra-expensive supercars and the audio component equivalents is that VERY few of the owners of such cars will ever actually drive the cars to the limit of their capability and actually "use" all that technology and expensive construction. All it takes for a lazy audiophile to fully utilize the capability of his system is to flip a switch and sit down in a comfortable chair. Every day, under any and all conditions the performance of the gear can be appreciated.
Whether the small increment of difference between good gear and ultra high end gear justifies the price difference is really up to the buyer. If the buyer is not necessarily "hearing" better sound but it deluding himself, he is still getting something for HIS money.
Yes, Absolute Sound, and the like, do a lot of reviews of very expensive equipment; that is because a lot of the readership is entertained by reading about such gear. In a perverse way, a review of "real world" gear that is intended to help real someone decide on what to buy, actually is a disservice. Purchases should rarely be based on a review, at best, reviews are an introduction to possible candidates--describe basic features, point out possible areas of concern--and whether or not the gear might fit one's personal taste can only be hinted at by knowing what the reviewer tends to favor. It is unfortunate that a lot of gear IS sold largely on reviews and reputation.
Whether the small increment of difference between good gear and ultra high end gear justifies the price difference is really up to the buyer. If the buyer is not necessarily "hearing" better sound but it deluding himself, he is still getting something for HIS money.
Yes, Absolute Sound, and the like, do a lot of reviews of very expensive equipment; that is because a lot of the readership is entertained by reading about such gear. In a perverse way, a review of "real world" gear that is intended to help real someone decide on what to buy, actually is a disservice. Purchases should rarely be based on a review, at best, reviews are an introduction to possible candidates--describe basic features, point out possible areas of concern--and whether or not the gear might fit one's personal taste can only be hinted at by knowing what the reviewer tends to favor. It is unfortunate that a lot of gear IS sold largely on reviews and reputation.