As several have mentioned, the number one reason that people treat their audio systems like appliances is lack of exposure to a great system. No music lover goes away from hearing a great system unchanged. Most want to have some modicum of that for themselves once they are aware of its existence. The next problem is finding the stuff to buy. Great dealers are few and far between, and without their help the learning curve is very steep for the uninitiated.
Why Don't More People Love Audio?
Can anyone explain why high end audio seems to be forever stuck as a cottage industry? Why do my rich friends who absolutely have to have the BEST of everything and wouldn't be caught dead without expensive clothes, watch, car, home, furniture etc. settle for cheap mass produced components stuck away in a closet somewhere? I can hardly afford to go out to dinner, but I wouldn't dream of spending any less on audio or music.