Why is the high end stratospheric?

I see it a little differently and think Erik is showing us something important here. Maybe some of you aren't aware of the price gouging because you haven't sat at the dinner tables while the pricings were being discussed. But I was at those tables in the 90's and heard how HEA was planning to jump into mega pricing, both reviewer and brand. Specifically raising these prices so HEA buyers would think they were getting better sound.

There's what the buyer saw, and there was the behind the scenes.

MG

Ever go to a place to do something or buy something and you've over heard the salesman say to the other or give them that look (what a sucker), well you'd be surprised how often this has happened after the mid 90's in HEA.

I'm not knocking spending money (ever seen my yacht), what I am saying is audio works a certain way and when you throw this technology in an ultra expensive chassis chances are it will not out perform it's more simple competitor or even an amp without a chassis. The perception that HEA created about buying up is bogus, especially with box speakers and amplifiers and of course DACs. A little common sense can go a long way in this lifestyle.

MG