$39K for the Linn Klimax DAC/streamer?

This question got me searching for a more philosophical answer:

Nothing Linn is worth $39k.

Especially not a DAC/Streamer

Linn is mid-fi in today's marketplace, trying to project as high-end or even state of the art.  Trading on a naim only.

The top LP12 turntable costs $15k.  in the mid 1970s it was $600.  OK they say they've improved it but really all they've done is up-priced it to match the ludicrous prices being asked for turntables these days.

And they're still pigs to set up and keep set up.

And just wait an extra couple of weeks to order yours used for a mere $19,999!

John Atkinson had an editorial in Stereophile during the financial meltdown.  It discussed income inequality, and opined that the key to survival for most of us would be figuring out how to serve the one percenters.  It only gets more relevant with the passage of time

Strange post and even more stranger responses, I should say. I thought we are here to discuss audio and not spending habits. The fact that one is not ready or not able to pay certain price doesn't mean the price is necessarily crazy. Anyway most if not all of the audiophiles seem strange (not to use stronger words) to the rest, so do obviously some of us, ready to pay big dollars in the quest for the perfect sound and the grande listening pleasure.