If I like sound of Ayre Integrated I would Like...

If I understand the "argument," there are so many brands and so many models competing in the marketplace that the result is excessively high prices. Wouldn't it be nice if the market had only one beneficent monopolist who would deliver the Ayre sound at 40% of the price Ayre charges?

The perception that everything is over-priced and a lot of magic and voodoo is being sold has to do with whether or not you personally hear differences in components and whether those differences have enough meaning to you. On a very fundamental level, ALL components do sound the same (one can make out the tune) so how does one justify the price difference?

So, if wine tastes like soured grape juice to you, it makes sense to stick with Welch's Grape Juice and avoid Petrus Pomerol Grand Vin. Who looks like the fool coming to a forum with a lot of serious enthusiasts to suggest that everyone is an idiot for spending more than you are willing to spend on "grape juice"?