I am 100% in accordance with him. Hi End audio has become more of a major business than a hobby. Gear prices are getting so high that only some astronauts are able to reach them. The answers are the materials used, components, time to design cabinets and crossovers, etc... This manufactures buy parts and material by bulk and their prices are lower, but they don't care about making gear affordable, because some rich audiophiles will buy their products anyway. A good example is the company Elac with Andrew Jones who are building speakers that will give you the best sound for your money. Another issue is that the companies will build model A, B and C and you may be able to get model A, but never C which is the best. Everything is about money and not about hi end audio. That's how Capitalism works!!!