The death of ultra hiend audio

Technology has come a long way in the last 30-40 years, and the floor for quality audio has raised significantly.

Additionally, a new generation of audiophiles have more information at their fingertips than at any other time. Meaning, they can find objective data that proves they don't - and shouldn't - pay 4x more for some boutique piece of equipment that performs the same or worse than something off the shelf at Best Buy.

Meaning, they can find objective data that proves they don't - and shouldn't - pay 4x more for some boutique piece of equipment that performs the same or worse than something off the shelf at Best Buy.

Re: "objective data that proves."

I won't dilate on the notion of "objective" or "proves," but just say that people buy expensive things for many reasons and objective data only helps keep some fools from being parted from their money, but not most.

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. 

If for no other reason, people have other needs and priorities in addition to (or in place of) hi-end audio.  Everything is costing more and wages for most are stagnant.  Most likely, not everyone in the household defines “recreation” as spending tens of thousands of dollars to sit and listen to music.  They would sooner take that money on a European vacation, a sea cruise, or someone’s college tuition.  Count yourself lucky if you don’t have to compromise.  

To funny.