Does anyone really need to spend 10k on power

We are all in this hobby because of (1) a love of fine music or (2) a love of fine equipment, or both!!!
Cost is relative, The more we experiment with new and different equipment the more our perception changes as to value verses cost. I have experienced expensive interconnects, power cords and conditioners that can make quite a difference in a given system but may be overkill in another. There is a saying in audio.... IT IS ALL SYSTEM DEPENDENT!!!

How each of us spends our money is of course nobody else’s business. However, surely the purpose of this forum is to share experiences/knowledge? In this case, can anyone justify spending $10k on a power conditioner? Personally, I have no idea. All I know for certain is many claims about the superiority of one interconnect over another (often costing many $k) or regular thick copper speaker cables over ones made of exotic materials and complex construction technique are often just over-inflated marketing hype. I suspect expensive power conditioners are just the same. I know at one time Krell would not endorse the use of after-market power conditioners for their products; I wonder why?

I once went through a phase of auditioning some expensive interconnects; could I tell the difference versus simple well-made interconnects? No!

My stereo system is comprised of a MacBook Air (2012 MY running OSX 10.8.3) with Audirvana Plus, via USB to a MF V-Link 24/96 USB to S/PDIF converter, feeding, via a Toslink cable, a Krell HTS 7.1 (DAC and volume control) into a Krell KSA-250 power amp and B&W N801 speakers. I could not be happier, OK I exaggerate somewhat, if money were no object I am sure some changes would be made!

The point of my ranting is; would my system sound any better with the addition of a $10k power conditioner? I very much doubt it. However, If anyone wants to lend me their $10k power conditioner I would be more than happy to experiment and report back.

its all about elementary economics.

the value in use = the value in exchange is the necessary condition for a transaction. people attach subjective valuation for any material object. the estimated value is subjective and applies to all luxury goods.

there is no absolute value for any luxury good. it is based upon what the market will bare--the law of supply and demand applies in some cases as well.

how do you estimate what a power conditioner is worth to the buyer ?

The premise of the posting is a relevant and valid one. $10K is a lot of money there is no question about it. and if we are talking about a single box with some outlets in it, that is certainly a questionable purchase. Unless of course in contains a unique and miraculous technology that takes an audio system's performance to unheard-of levels of realism, that 9 out of 10 people can immediately agree they hear.
i am guilty of having bought a $5000 amplifier, but it did things in my own home i never thought possible before. instruments had a texture and a palpable presence that you had to hear for yourself. Only then would you understand why in the world i would spend so much of my income on "one piece" of equipment.
years later i replaced a $5K speaker with a $14K speaker. the improvement was incredible, but i realized i had crossed a number of lines at that point. I still feel guilty at times with all of the poor and needy people on the planet, when i look at all the "stuff" i "need" to listen to an album. My only defense is that i took my time and i do not get tired of my amplifiers every 6 months, my speakers every year, etc. and the emotion the musicians and singers feel comes across in the most beautiful manner i could want when i sit down to listen.
10K for a power conditioner? is it ESSENTIAL in order to hear the music flow from a well-advanced set of components? or is it just one of hundreds of accessories manufacturers are putting out there to get some market share?
P.S.- there is NO substitute in this hobby for a well engineered CD or LP.
trying to squeeze great sound out of a mediocre disc is like eating steak-flavored rice cakes.

What someone can do with their money does not mean every expenditure is prudent or wise.

Rather than compare a automobile to a loudspeakers, change it to a loudspeaker vs. a woman's handbag. A $40,000 purse compared to an equivalently priced Magico loudspeaker. Is it my lack of knowledge about the intricacies of high end purses that makes me think the Magico is a better value?