I can't afford a $40K amplifier and I'm not worried about whatever I might be missing there. But I don't doubt I might be missing something very good, and it may not be just about the sound quality taken in isolation. I have a fairly expensive watch that was given to me by my father. It's something I never would have bought. He gave it to me telling me I could sell it to get some money. I could have, but I kept it, and it's not just because it's a keepsake. I really enjoy this watch and understand its high price now. It doesn't keep spectacularly accurate time, and doesn't have advanced features - just time and date. It is self winding and exceedingly well built with plain stainless steel. The quality of construction becomes evident with use and builds a lot of confidence in me about the staying power of this device. I have something I can reasonably count on to do the simple act of telling me the time, probably for the rest of my life even if I live to 100. The crystal won't scratch, the casing and band won't rust, fatigue, rot, or leak. I've already put it through the ringer working as a mechanic. I probably shouldn't have used it while wrenching but the watch proved its worth. I don't have to worry about software updates or the battery becoming unable to hold a charge. It's a beautiful thing! I don't see any evidence that something truly equivalent is available for a lot cheaper.
When someone tells you it's a $40,000 amp, does it sound better?
I've always been a little bit suspicious when gear costs more than $25,000 . At $25,000 all the components should be the finest, and allow room for designer Builder and the dealer to make some money.
I mean that seems fair, these boxes are not volume sellers no one's making a ton of money selling the stuff.
But if I'm listening to a $40,000 amplifier I imagine me Liking it a whole lot more just because it costs $40,000. How many people have actually experienced listening to a $40,000 amplifier. It doesn't happen that often and usually when you do there's nothing else around to compare it to.
I'm just saying expensive gear is absolutely ridiculous. It's more of a head game I'm afraid. Some how if you have the money to spend, and a lot of people do, these individuals feel a lot better spending more money for something. Now you own it, and while listening to it you will always be saying to yourself that thing cost $40,000 and somehow you'll enjoy it more.