@OP - A vast amount of high end gear gets traded in to dealers who frequently have a long term relationship with their high end customers. That may or may not end up on generalised sale sites like Audiogon or Hi Fi Shark. A lot of it gets trickled down to other customers within the dealers value chain.
Why isn't better quality used gear being made available?
I've been scanning used gear for a while trying to look for an amplifier and a line stage pre-amplifier. To me it seems like quality higher end gear being made available is Limited. Maybe it's a good thing that all this quality gear I'm looking for doesn't want to be sold .
I have never been able to find used cables that are what I'm looking for from transparent, cardas, ect, or other worthwhile brands in the mid to upper price ranges. I guess people keep their old used cables in a box and don't even bother selling them . Maybe it follows that Quality used components sit on a shelf in someone's basement not being sold. It's tough giving up quality audio components even if you don't plan to use them and maybe keeping them around as back up or for a third listening room that never happens.