Takedown of pricey servers, streamers OCD HiFi guy

Allo Digione, RPi 3b+ Transport. Galvanic isolation, super low jitter, many software options, flexible platform. $250. Sounds amazing.  

"...buy an analog front end and you bypass all the format wars..."

There is no format war. We all agree that cassette is much better than LP.

The audio hobby is largely a fetish, one in which I admittedly indulge. Over the years I have concluded that there is little relation between price and sound quality. People tend to pay megabucks for a very minor return in audible improvements. But the stuff is cool and gratifies our irrational urge. Getting a new component that is unusual and well made is a big thrill. It’s just like the big cable controversy where people claim to hear all sorts of subtle differences and think they break in. Personally I prefer my $25 Beldens over my $600 Wireworlds, but so what? It’s all harmless if one can afford it. 

Most electronic parts are dirt cheap to manufacture.  The rule of thumb is to sell high end audio for 6 times its manufacturing cost.  This includes the building, the electricity, the parts and cabinets, etc, the labor and insurance, etc, and a doubling of the dealer cost for the retail price.  Despite these margins, many companies gloriously exceed that margin.  When a $300,000 Ferrari costs $160,000 to make, that $140,000 profit to the maker seems like a lot, but when a $10,000 amp costs $3000 (if it is a good one), to make, we barely flinch.