Why are record cleaners so expensive?


Full disclosure: I have only the Spin-Clean record cleaner and a Hunt EDA brush to clean my vinyl, but as someone who's been in the digital side of audiophilia for decades, and as someone who knows how much gear can get in any dedicated hobby, I'm still curious as to why a high end vinyl cleaner can cost more than three grand.

I'm not disputing the price; after all, Smith said that something's worth whatever someone pays for it. Moreover, a high end record cleaner might be able to do things to vinyl that nothing else can. Still, paying three grand for an Audio Desk cleaner seems a bit out of reason. $3K can buy a good set of speakers; a hand-made fly-fishing rod based on your height and weight and arm length; two weeks at a Fijian resort for two; a custom-made suit from an Italian mill. So why is a glorified vacuum cleaner $3K?

Again, not flaming, just curious. Enlighten me?

s
simao

Showing 2 responses by inna

If a power cord or a couple of rare records can cost $3k or more why can't an excellent record cleaner cost the same or less?
$3k for a great custom suit is not nearly enough, by the way. Try $8k - 10k. 
Having said that, I do think that $3k machine is overpriced, but so are many things.
Personally, $499 Okki Nokki with Audio Intelligent fluids is all I need. But it takes time and effort, that's not " push button " device.
Rich people employ different kind of mathematics, and from their point of view it sounds like a correct one.
I myself pay $500-$600 for a custom hand made knife from time to time, which would be considered madness by most people. I consider it inexpensive, some cost thousands.
I think we enlightened the OP. 
I would never pay $3k for a fishing rod or for a power cord or for a record cleaning machine. $10K for a semi-custom Brioni suit? Maybe, if I thought I needed such a high class suit. And I agree that $3k Fiji vacation would be too modest, I would add at least couple of thousands more.