I can guarantee you all one thing: The price to pay for serious audio equipment will never be determined by the buyer--despite the fervent wishes of nearly everyone on this site.
Part of being an audiophile is knowing something about what’s going on inside the gear. Hence, the knowledge that a resistor costs pennies, etc., can lead to mistaken conclusions about the entire design and fabrication process. If the price is too high, sales will lag and you will be able to buy it in 2 years at what you consider a "fair" price.
Personally, I have no problem finding enough affordable upgrades to satisfy me and totally frustrate my partner--and bank account.