Moderately priced audio

Seems a lot less interest today

I think that due to the better technology now available, people are "generally’ opting for the convenience of Bluetooth/wireless devices and the smaller, more streamlined looks, which do sound very good e.g. Bluesound/Sonos/Soundbar products.

Gone are the days of BIG speakers in order to get "good sound"

Many people also do not have the time to sit down and appreciate "great sound" because of their busy lifestyles.

Also, simply commanding a device to play a certain genre of music and getting "instant service" puts us in the "Back to the Future" scenario.

But I still like the opening scene in I Robot, where Will Smith uses a remote to activate his "antiquated" CD transport.

I think there will always be a market for high end gear, because current technology of the day will still have audible limitations - but it is pretty darn good now and getting better and smaller.

High end systems will be for those that still want to pursue truly great sound.

Regards - Steve

The internet has given visibility to what was an obscure market.

Couldn't agree more. The vast majority of my system consists of products by small manufacturers with an internet-only presence. In fact, only my server and router are from large manufacturers. There's such tremendous value to be had with a bit of careful research. Thanks to community's such as this one it's pretty easy to find some gems. BTW, my system is in the $6000 - $7000 range all tolled. The sound quality is sublime.

Old and used Mission Cyrus speakers 781 (50 bucks) in nearfield listening,
New Starting point systems NOS dac (50 bucks on ebay bid),
Old and used Akg 701 (100 bucks) Vintage AKG 340 (120 bucks),
Vintage Sansui AU-7700 (120 bucks +upgrading components 150 bucks).

Total around 600 bucks...

I must say that the cost of all my homemade tweaks is higher than the cost of my system by 2 times... But without that my system let me totally unsatisfied and however all component were praised top notch gear of their times... The lesson is the secret is in the implementation, treatment and cleaning...The price paid is a secondary factor... Someone could say that with this money I could have upgrade 2 of my components; that is  true, but I know that this upgrade would had been unsatisfying also...Sansui is a too much "flexible" amplifier and very good in his own term to  easily upgrading it with only 1000 thousand bucks for a modern amp, the modern SPS dac is too extraordinary to upgrading it with only 1000 bucks actual dac, the Akg 340  is too good to be upgraded with 1000 bucks...Then only my tweaks  could raised all my gear to the roof or audio heaven...

And I know that my system is really an audiophile one, his musicality for his level and price is top notch...

The reason, I will repeat myself ( except for upgrading the components of the Sansui by technician) is cleaning the electrical line and the audio grid, and damping adequately all components...Exposing my method will ridicule me here I will not try that... My point is : the right TWEAKS are the secret of an audiophile sound If you had carefully choosen old or used or vintage top of the line components...The price for killing my system cannot be lower than the price paid but must be relatively much higher...I enjoy it much after this 7 years of reading how to purchase , what to purchase, how to tweaks etc... I proudly devised my own tweaks by experiments and that works miracles... I wish you all the best...

+1 for williewonka and each word written.

Hard to say nobody could get into a fair prices vinyl setup at well under a grand today.

Just one example at needledoctor.
Many more starting at just $400.

Nice aspect of the one highlighted is the active speakers accept a line level source as well.

https://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-LP120XUSB-Turntable-Black-Audioengine-2-Wireless-Black