garebear,
",,,and why are they soo expensive is the question..."The more I think of it, the more I come to the conclusion that appearance has a lot to do with it for many. I have never heard one, but have a hard time believing that the sound is crappy so I think that may be out of the question. Of course, someone may prefer a little bit different sound and so on, but that goes for any brand and any person. The looks however, may play a lot for someone satisfied with the sound and willing to spend for the appearance, too. It is all in the eyes of the beholder and importance that a buyer puts on certain aspects of her/his purchase. I am speaking from my own perspective on this. I like decent sound, but also want the machine to be pleasing in other ways. Accuphase looks like something that many could enjoy having in the room, or at least not feel like they are in an earthquake-resistance-testing facility. That would be good enough for me and, I suspect, a good number of people. Add some mystique, significantly augmented by very high prices, and you have a perfect combination and justification for keeping prices high. Good sound, pleasing unusual looks, and aura of something special and expensive. In that way, being expensive somehow becomes a motor for elevating prices further and making them justified. I guess that is what successful marketing is all about. Just look at car industry. I am not sure about watches.
"...why they do not seem to have such a presence here..."I am baffled by that, too, but it seems to be an approach of these few companies with well-established names. They sell anyway and you have to work hard to be able to get them. Order, pay a lot, wait, etc. Again, kind of like cars. Adds the hype along the way.