Hype, Hyperbole and high price!

Uncledemp wrote,

"I read and try to learn in these forums but it is very, very difficult to build a foundation of knowledge that isn’t undermined or disputed by seemingly educated people.

I’m happy with my system- or possibly too ignorant to know the difference. Ignorance is bliss in my case, but I am still curious as to the lack of consensus regarding scientific principles."

I suspect there actually isn’t so much argument over the scientific principles although there probably is some, but the real arguments are over why a thing would sound better than another thing when the measured scientific parameters are essential identical or perhaps even not as good. There are of course other arguments in these forums with regard to many controversial devices and tweaks that seem to defy scientific labeling or characterization or are otherwise mysterious as to operating mechanism. Thus, in the audio hobby, IMO, if one wishes to trace back and find the scientific explanation in a textbook why some things sound better than others or why certain audio techniques or innovations work might not be possible. And one cannot look even to NASA, Lockheed Martin, AES, MIT or the National Science Foundation to provide answers.

Uncledemp- your post fascinated me, and after giving it some thought, my response would be something like: 
scientific or engineering training or any form of higher education for that matter, teaches methodology- how to approach an issue and ask the right questions, rather than knowing the answers; 
a lot of audio equipment is following tried and true science or engineering principles with variations and modest "improvements" that may or may not prove to be enduring or universally satisfying;
innovation can come from anywhere- conception and development doesn't necessarily require massive expenditure or white lab coats- but the adoption of new formats requires industry consensus and re-tooling or broader manufacture that does involve clout and buy-in; many of these were utter failures in the marketplace;
Why the divergence between pure science and engineering on the one hand, and the subjective audio experience on the other? It seems to me that we are, all of us, trying to recreate a sensory experience. The engineering and sciences involved are multi-disciplinary: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science, acoustics and psycho-acoustics, etc. But at the end, there is still a human, making design choices and a human making listening evaluations. 
There are people that say that two channel audio can never recreate the illusion of a musical performance, but that, and some forms of multi-channel sound, seem to be all we have to work with right now. I've always been intrigued by the history of ideas and invention; thus, my peculiar take on your post. Others may have a different view, but in my experience, I have heard very convincing sonic illusions created by the most mundane or antiquated gear or formats, and completely unconvincing (though sometimes impressive) sounds created by the most expensive, elaborate audio systems. I'm discounting source, room and placement, and dialing in or set up as well as the purely subjective aspects of listener preference. Not sure I "answered" your question, but perhaps gave the "why" some context. 

Not all engineers are created equal plus they are also just human and not perfect so that's why results will vary.  

How ones mind in conjunction with the human condition by use of five flawed senses using electrical impulses to engage an end point to a perception of our own realities is something that goes way beyond just math and science. We are all unique in how we come to any conscience conclusion in this life using our limited use of sensory perception. In other words,what floats your boat does not necessarily float mine because of how we perceive the things around us.  

This or that sounds better or worse for me than you because of what the mind equates with pleasure,musical or otherwise ...sort of like how dopamine in the brain engages the pleasure centers from within.How the human mind hears music through the sense of hearing is truly unique to each individual.

Music is a spiritual condition...something science will never be able to measure with less than perfect human hands.

Regardless how one feels about expensive cables and such and all the stated claims of audio nirvana (although I do find the Brilliant Pebbles appalling and amusing at the same time - how soon before we start seeing $100 plus 'audiophile' grade Scotch tape for attaching the pebbles (take a look at their website!!!) (Pet Rocks for the audio crowd!), such items pose major concern to our 'hobby.'

For me the big issue with all these incredibly priced products is the impact they have on bringing new folks into the fold.  I can't tell you how many folks, both young with good-paying jobs and older with disposable income, that just roll their eyes about investing in quality audio systems after browsing ads, magazines, and websites and seeing $1,000+ cables, $2,000 plus cartridges, $3,000K DACs and other such costly items.  Between the ridiculous (at least to them) cost and claims, this completely turns many interested folks off to our hobby.  To me this is the biggest problem with such items.  Granted there are much less expensive but really good products out there, but that is not what the general public really gets exposed to.  

As many folks have said, trust your ears and spend your money as you feel appropriate for yourself and your ears.