I think a lot of the difference might come down to the last 10% of performance. As noted, there is a steep climb in the lower price ranges of equipment in terms of sound quality. You can gain a lot in sound quality moving from a system that costs hundreds to a system that costs thousands. This is the appeal for many consumers, like myself, in investing in better equipment. But the point comes when spending more, even judiciously, results in little or no improvement.
The question then becomes: How much more money is it worth to you to spend to get the last slivers of musical enjoyment? To some, the level is $10,000, to some the level is $30,000, and to some the level is $50,000 or more. As others expressed, I also have no problem with other people choosing to spend their money this way — it’s their money. If they think it is worth it, it is. And we each have our priorities, including things we spend money on.
My advice to newbies (and I am one) is to spend their money on the most-bang-for-the-buck equipment they can afford. If that only amounts to $1,000 or $2,000 total, they have come further toward satisfaction than additional amounts will bring them.
