European -vs- US high-end

Are you referring to the owner's or the equipment? I see no difference as "music is music" and "ears are ears". The only difference between Europe/Asia and the US is the power supply, the average room area and the humidity (though there are many like areas). The continental Indians lost the battle long ago - NOT!!! (Viva recent "gaming" trends!!!) but we are pretty much made up of people of European/Asian/Latin decent. My favorite male singers are Frank Sinatra and Jacques Brel for crying out loud and I am a mixture of English, German, Syrian and Scott's-Irish. English/European trends have conformed, in the past, to smaller (for the masses) rooms, and such, where softer is better, but "most" of us are getting a bit cramped here as well, and I do not see a trend either way other than that softer and/or a bit more aggressive within a short distance (listening area) such as Naim might be just the ticket for smaller listening rooms that are popping up here for people that can afford and are aware of this type of equipment (if only they new of SET's in their predicament:-). Anyway, to answer your question I would say that there are few differences as most of the "informed" people who are into this hobby are "as always" looking for the best bang for the buck. The "others" as "always" are mostly influenced by the advertsising $$$dollar$$$ and/or the whim of their local dealer/shop. As CornFed says "it is a small world".

Slawney, to my mind the gap which there was, especially with British hifi and US gear seems to be closing. For a long time the Europeans (France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK in part) had the better vinyl play back gear in practically all price ranges, but that has changed. The same goes true for loudspeaker designs. There might be Danish, as well as German solid state components which are designed more for the eye than for the ear in a degree of workmanship you will only rarely find across the atlantic. But I find that of minor importance.
There used to be a typically "German" sound in speakers from Deutschland, with an emphasis on highs and a forced transparency, which has fortunately disappeared as well.
In short, Cornfed is right, its become a small world. When I talk to the cognoscienti here in Zurich or converse with my US friends, we all talk the same language....also the hype is the same, on both sides of the Atlantic. A small world indeed.

I think the big gap between US and European tastes lies in the mid-fi to low-end range. It seems that there are many more Euopreans (especially British) people that want good sounding consumer gear. It's very obvious when you check out a British Hi-Fi mag and there are pages and pages...issues even...devoted to $100-$400 integrated amps, CD players, and speakers. The thing that amazes me is that they're all made by the same companies as the US consumer audio gear...Sony, Pioneer, Technics, Kendwood, Teac, etc....but it seems that they make a much better product than they do for the US. The US product has a billion features, surround sound, digital effects, etc., but the UK market seems to have a demand for a good sounding, simple, inexspensive, integrated amp. I find that refreshing. I wish that were the case here too.

Go for the Hawaiian!
I run an all American system here in Germany and not because doing so is considered cool. There are some nice European approaches like AudioPhysics, Audiomeca, Audio Aero, Linn, Electrocompaniet, maybe even Burmester - but in my experience American gear does the long jump.
Cheers!

Dont forget made In Canada gear.
Most of which is supperior to US and European made.