EGAD...I hate automotive metaphors for other high end products....I really do. There are too many variables in high end autos like a Lamborghini which might cause people to wet their pants, but that exotoc engine needs a tune up in 6,000 miles, not 100,000 at the cost of tens of grand. Other exotic cars can outperform the lambo and don't require such intensive and expensive maintenance.
But... A lot of pricing in the high end is related to cosmetics and arbitrary pricing. Not any standard formula. They price it aimed at what that market segment will bear. I have heard R&D quoted often for massive cash outlay by companies. Once a baseline product is established, it's tweaking the components and output....not some grand project like crash and climate testing.
The corners cut for the budget models may just be cosmetic (and psychological) more than some great improvements in parts. Not long ago, the snob-o-sphere touted 2 things (and the rest is "garbage" or "pedestrian" 1) Single digit wattage SET amps 2) class A solid state amps. Now with technology, computer assisted design and testing...we can have amps run topologies that are more efficient power wise, yet are able to produce top notch fidelity and power output without the need for bulkier and costlier parts.
The average cd player now is better than anything produced in the 1980's and often 1990's. An oppo player ($599) does anything that a $4,000 LINN cd player did just a few years ago. Not to mention it supports dvd-a, sacd, blue ray, dvd and cd. Listening and measuring supports this.
So the only automotive metaphor that I can accept to be sure, is that compare the quality of a honda car now vs ANYTHING in 1985. Not even close. New robots and computer control make more precise fitting parts with more accurate welds, paint and better electronics. Stick a crappy little chevy engine in a stainless steel body with gull wing doors, and it's might LOOK cool, but it's basically poorly performing crap. No value except for appearance and the required "outatime" plates.
That is also incidentally why the $2,100 ML ESL are superior to quad and acoustat ones. Technology has advanced, even if old guard attitudes have not.
And any argument about "Silk purse from a sows ear" is invalid, because accuracy and performance is accuracy and performance regardless of price tag or appearance.
