The question for me is always how do I decide when making my purchasing decisions towards that end. Thats where things can start to get complicated. The easy way out is just listen to the options and decide. But how much must it really cost?
It’s not so simple.
It’s common to derive value by “cost + a reasonable (subjective) markup”. But that usually applies to higher volume larger markets with higher competition (which drives prices down). Our high-end audio is a small niche market with much smaller quantities of the costlier components.
What’s really describes our open market is supply and demand. Learned this in college economics, took me awhile to get curve shifting. Could I sell an ordinary pencil for $1000? Sure, if it was chewed on by Taylor Swift (maybe not a good example, but was fun to say ;) )
Usually, we strive for sonic uptick. Evaluating a sonic uptick then being told what it costs would be ideal - “is this sonic uptick worth $?”. We’d be saving loads of money but unfortunately this doesn’t exists.
We also don’t rate sonic upticks the same between different component classes. I splurged on a Koetsu stone cart fearing it’s my last chance to hear a Corralstone, but I’ve plenty of carts so the money could have been spent elsewhere.
Finally, many outside our hobby would question the price/performance value of our components. Not a need, but subjective wants.
Bottom line - we earn and spend for our enjoyment, as it should be
