I think the answer to this question really lies in the fact that most people are either ignorant or embarrassed to identify with music (like classical or real jazz) that definitely IMO benefits the most from high end components. "Real music" is to a certain degree an acquired taste and takes a little digging and understanding to get full value from. I said full value. A lot of what is considered music today does not benefit that much after a certain price point in a system. And if you think that sounds a little nerdie I was going to Rollling Stones, Jethro Tull, Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix concerts before many of you were born. Really, most people are not willing to get out of their box and try something new. I couldn't stand classical music until a surgeon I was working with (I am an anesthetist) forced it on us and you know what? A few years later half my music collection is classical music. So, we need to inspire our young folks to be more well rounded in all musical genres. That, I think will inspire them to be more appreciative of instruments that can reproduce the sound as if they were hearing it live. Just my 2 cts.
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.