There are very few things you can buy that has such poor rate of diminishing returns as audio gear, with such a poor ability to resell For example:
Basic Car $20,000 , Premium car, $100,000 . huge jump in performance
Basic Stereo Amp $1000, Ultra Premium Amp $150,000, can a true music lover justify the performance increase, probably not. Can a wealthy audiophile, probably.
Also the average audiophile , keeps feeding into the industry buy upgrading equipment over time. Perhaps the person who has a statement system doesn't keep upgrading. they are too busy to listen to it cause they are on their boat, flying in their Lear Jet, or whatever.