Like a lot of other Audiogon members, I appreciate you taking the time and making the effort to post here. It's quite useful to be privy to the perspectives and impressions of a consumer who has extensive direct experience with ultra high end audio products. In terms of prices, all of the audiophile prices will seem insanely high to almost anyone not involved in our hobby. So in my opinion it's just a matter of degree from there on.
Sometimes I think people forget that these are optional purchases and luxury ones at that; whether any given high price is justified is a matter of conjecture, but it makes little sense (in my opinion) for audiophiles to complain about them. It makes even less sense (in my opinion) to lash out at someone who's been kind enough to post his experiences therewith on a website designed to do just that.