Why Don't More People Love Audio?

Thanks for sharing your contrary opinion. I have no interest in changing your mind, but please allow me the opportunity to present something contrary to what you think. Thanks.
How is allowing the everyday man exposure to hi end audio a "pompous fantasy"? You, sir are so full of your own words that you cannot read what was written. Nothing was said about forcing people to be blown away by a stereo. Nothing was said about forcing someone to buy something because *I* like it. And "zealots who simply cannot imagine that anyone could experience the holy ghost or holy grail or holy sound as you experience it and remain unmoved."---- where was this ever written, or implied?
The original point was simply to allow people *who have never heard a hi-end stereo* the opportunity to do so. It is an attempt, however, small and ill conceived, allow more people to love audio. Instead of the negative attitude which seems to almost want people to stay out of the hobby.
Actually with hi-end audio getting smaller and smaller, IMHO, there IS a need to proselytize.
I agree with what you said:
"Only a small percentage got the bug and began the crusade. Many were called but few were chosen. All were exposed."

Except the part about "all were exposed". IMO, the vast majority of people have not. You cannot tell if you like something or not unless you try it.
If you open your mind and eyes to what people has written over and over again on this site, you will read that many here have gotten into the hobby because they had the chance to listen to the hi end stereo. They have said if they did not have this opportunity, they would still be living with their boombox.

Doing anything really well is not easy.

That reality excludes all but the most motivated from doing anything really well.

Still, many are motivated enough to do some things well, whatever it may be, for better or for worse.

Audio is merely a hobby, a trivial pursuit in the big picture of things for most. Doing audio alone well is not enough for most to subsist. There are other things that may provide greater return on investment if done well. Those are the things most will put their energy into. Only a few will need or want to put a lot of though or energy into audio when music can be heard fairly easily and for low cost otherwise.

It is safe to say that most people who have the means to purchase our very expensive toys are aware of that option.

Embedded in the belief that others would choose to be like you if they were only presented with a sampling of what that means, is a rather narcissistic supposition.

I don't believe in god. There may well be such an entity but I have no reason to believe or disbelieve as much. I don't feel that I need to know nor that I could know. Others out there are condemning or pitying me for having blasphemed in such a way. They think that if only I was exposed to the bible, koran, lao tzu, glenn beck or ochocinco, I would recant repent and buy a preamp. Fact is, none of that will happen. And an audio expo on a street corner in Council Bluffs or Ft. Collins won't change much of anything. It is but a fanciful notion. If you don't believe me, try it yourself. If you pull it off, I'll admit I was wrong. But I ain't going to church.

At this point, prehaps someone should define "high End"

One word.....passion! An individual with Passion for good sounding music (depending on how passionate)....will naturally (come within) hunt for the gears and resources to get him or her there....(investment varies with financial status)...IMHO..(just from my personal experience).