Modern Linestages

And now what started as a debate with sensible questions and responses turns to posters taking pot shots.
Do you think this happens with forums for other hobbyists ??
Here, it seems if you have a different opinion even on something subjective you are branded an idiot.
At the risk of being one ,I firmly am in the camp with Knghifi,Charles1dad,Onemug and a few others.
Naturally I haven't heard every preamp,no one has.in my 40 years of high end listening I have never heard a passive that I liked better then the preamp I owned at that time.
Today my preamp retails in excess of 20K.
It really is something I cant afford but it also gives my more enjoyment when listening to music then I have ever experienced so how does one equate $$$ to enjoyment??
In the end it doesn't matter which component is better or why.
What matters is what it sounds like to you.

Charles1dad ,you are correct.The active camp is passive (pun intended)in their posts.
I should mention that I not only prefer actives but I much prefer tubes as well
But then I also prefer vanilla over chocolate so I expect to be told I'm wrong on that too.
I've followed and enjoyed your posts,

Onhwy61,I believe you feel that components are or should be priced on a cost plus basis.It just isn't done that way. Every item has a Market Price.This price has nothing to do with its cost.
If a manufacturer's suggested retail price is competitive
to its competition it may survive.
If it is superior in quality the maker should reap a very healthy profit.
If it is inferior well,who knows what will happen.
If an end user feels the product is over priced or he simply cant afford it he has the option not to purchase that product.Not all components are priced for the masses I dont understand why so many here complain about the cost or knock others that purchased one of these so called over priced items.

Pubul57 , In the old days or golden era as I refer to it.Very few good sounding components also looked good.In fact some not only didn't appeal to the eye the construction was also shabby.Yet,they still sounded good.At least I thought they sounded good but then again I was new to this hobby.
Over time the WAF forced designers to consider better cosmetics.I agree that many of todays components are overdone and that the added value does not warrant the new retail prices but as you stated we are all free to buy or not.
You have a very nice system,Enjoy it.

Onhwy57,
Naturally all products are marketed with consideration to cost.What I was referring to was that there are no strict norms as to mark-up.All products will sell for whatever the market will bear.It is for the consumer to say yea or nay

Atmasphere ,Thank you for your participation and your excellent products as well.Evidently you didn't read my earlier posts on this thread.
Your business model may have a simple markup formula and being you sell direct to end users would you agree that your suggested retail and possibly mark up will differ from a Mfg.that sells through franchised dealers.
Further,would an importer also price components differently then you would.
Lets say the industry mark up is 5X the cost.If the cost is $1000 Are you saying that every mfg,will price that component at $5000 and if that component for whatever reason is deemed superior to the competition,would you agree that it I swill be priced much higher with out regard to the cost.
Products for this hobby will be priced at whatever the market will bear
Again I thank you for your participation and your very informative website