What is going on

"If it's worth too much to you; you get to keep it."

Great line!!! Gotta remember that one.

A seller is allowed to ask whatever price they want, it is their item, and they do not have to sell it. Some are just testing the waters, they don't really want to sell, but they will if the price is right. I've done this myself on occasion. It all depends on how serious and/or motivated the seller and/or the buyer are. Some buyers offer ridiculously low prices, there are threads about that too. It's all just part of the game, no big deal.

Agree with above comments. Though I have recently noticed many more items at much higher prices, often from new sellers...

Some on Audiogon are listing prices that aren't true. A Parasound A-21 with a list price of $2500 new, when the actual price new is $2300(April 1st it will increase to $2500). I have always sold equipment at a great price and don't understand the need to lie about the list price of an item. The sad truth is, if you do a little research you can get new items cheaper or for close to the asking price of some of the gear on Audiogon.

No doubt there are those out there who view Audiogon and audiophiles who frequent the site as the place most likely to get top dollar for whatever it is they might be selling, especially if the useless "high end" label can be applied, and less commonly found on the open market where pricing tends to take care of itself best.

If fair and reliable pricing of safer and more common products is the goal, one is much better of in general dealing with ebay auctions, where there is a larger and demographically broader group of consumers that help to establish value of used gear over time.

I have used both as a buyer to good effect. Ebay only as a seller so far and I have found that works out well in most cases if done right.