I love the car analogies. The car and audio hobbies are usually very similar, but not in this case. There are no $350,000 superchargers or $100,000 turbochargers. Even the most cutting edge components are not even close to these costs. Why? Because the performance or benefit of said $350,000 supercharger will be put to the test on an engine dynomometer or the racetrack and measured. If it doesn't perform it simply will not sell. The word will get out very quickly that it doesn't work. Audio is not like this at all.
I may get flammed for this, but I think that one reason there's is a $350,000 amp is because most of us believe that you can't measure what the high dollar amp is doing... but it must be doing something, it costs $350,000!
Another reason some of this gear is so expensive is because it's so overbuilt. Do you think the amp needs that sweet curved piece of glass mounted to the front of it? What about the chrome plated transformers or the polished aluminum chassis? How about the elegant curved pieces of polished copper, meticulously cut by hand or on some very expensive machine, that tie all of the positive and negative capacitor leads together, conveniently on display under that plexiglass cover? Does it really have to be 1/2" thick CNC machined aluminum to sound the way it does? Doubt it.
I think beauty is when form follows function. That being said, I really do appreciate the machine work and craftsmanship that goes into some audio components, however, I can't afford most of it (although my amp does have a 1/2" thick aluminum faceplate!). If you can afford to buy this stuff, most likely you are buying it for the looks and the good sound is just a perk (IMHO, of course).
