You are comparing the price of a REF-3 to the REF-30? Ha ... that's not a fair comparison. The 2008 price of a REF-3 needs to be compared to the price of a new REF-6.
Why? Why is it not fair? Look, this is simple, not complicated. Throw out all of the model names that have inundated the market in the last 8 years and ask two simple questions.
1) How much did ARC's most expensive preamp sell for in 2008? (A:$10K)
2) How much does ARC's most expensive preamp sell for today? (A:$30K)
All the rest is BS. You can't do this, you can't do that. Why not?
Again, I am not bashing ARC here. ALL high end manufacturers have followed this route. My favorite manufacturer, VAC, even released an uber-expensive Statement line a couple years back with a $50K preamp.
I would not expect that to not be compared to their top price preamp of 8 years ago, which sold for around $15K.
Most expensive = most expensive. All the rest is glitter and distraction.
Try to focus on the bottom line, the price it takes to buy the best.
The high end companies themselves are not to blame, don't shoot the messenger. They are just following the lead of the market. In essence, they are simply doing what they are being told to do, create more expensive gear.