Manufacturers are genius. They've managed to convince the gullible that this is a "hobby" and therefore they should keep pouring money into it. Best. Scheme. Ever.
What's It All About?
I've given this much thought and finally come to a conclusion. This whole audiophile system building "hobby" is exactly like designing and having built a high end kitchen. Some people get the basic triangle right and then everything just flows. Other people get hung up on the backsplash tile and cabinet knobs and probably remodel within five years.
Maybe it's not what's it all about, but then neither is the hokey pokey.