If it was earned through good, honest work and/or innovation rather then inheritance, I have never felt inclined to begrudge a wealthy person their prosperity. They were willing to work a lot harder than I ever cared to, so they deserve to reward themselves by spending it any way they choose. That being said, I also don't believe that the amount spent on gear qualifies one to consider themselves more of an audiophile then us lower tier folks. That's like telling someone in an argument to scream louder because it makes them 'more right'.
WHY IS THERE SO MUCH HATE FOR THE HIGH END GEAR ON AUDIO GEAR?
It seems like when I see comments on high end gear there is a lot of negativity. I have been an audiophile for the last 20 years. Honestly, if you know how to choose gear and match gear a lot of the high end gear is just better. When it comes to price people can charge what they want for what they create. If you don’t want it. Don’t pay for it. Look if you are blessed to afford the best bear and you can get it. It can be very sonically pleasing. Then do it. Now if you are also smart and knowledgeable you can get high end sound at mid-fi prices then do it. It’s the beauty of our our hobby. To build a system that competes with the better more expensive sounding systems out there. THOUGHTS?