Are audiophile products designed to initially impress then fatigue to make you upgrade?

No idea what you are talking about. You assume people must constantly ripping and replacing gear if they are considered an “audiophile”. I’ve never done this because I’m very careful about my purchases and their synergy in my system. I’ve never bought “fatiguing” gear.

Per usual, kenjit is talking out of his butt. Imagine that!

Kenjit.    ----  "CD players from the 70s......."

Not where I grew up.  About 1984 was my first CD player that was a practical commercial available unit. Technics

Lawrence From MI

Changes in technology are moving very quickly compared to the past. Manufacturers might be competing to make upgraded equipment at a reasonable cost rather than a build quality that will last many years.  Especially if what is being made today will be outdated in a few years.  Also service/repair costs seem to be increasing at a higher rate, which would favor buying something new instead of fixing on old item.  So again, the focus might not be on longevity. We also live in a throw away society…not everyone, but in general.

According to Phillips and Sony, who jointly introduced the audio CD format, the CD was first marketed in November 1982 in Japan and in March 1983 in Europe. I remember picking up a Sony CD player in the Akihabara district in Tokyo in 1984, because I happened to be there on business and I knew the latest and greatest models were only in Japan at that time.

Would love to see one of the 1970’s models from Kenjit’s collection...

Kenjit has never been one to let facts get in the way of the narrative.