Has the cost of HiFi gotten a bit too much?

Even a modest hi-fi system w/ better totl vintage, so no need to buy stratospheric priced gear.

The price is gonna go up as long as there are people willing (and looking forward to) paying more. Simple as that. Time for the Green Eyed Monster to take a walk.

All the best,
Nonoise

Guessing the bar is set low.

What’s really crazy is you can connect a pair of inexpensive IEMs ($200-$300) to your phone and get absolutely mind-boggling good sound!  

I picked up a Heed Elixer to conserve tube in my Qualiton and it is $1100.00 worth of Class A SS magic.

Sounds fan freaking tastic!

Look at it this way. Either you buy or you don't. Nuff said.