Inflation has increased over five years. Shipping costs around the world have increased dramatically over the past year. The cost of materials has also increased dramatically over the past year. Inflation at 3% on 15k from five years ago would come out to about $17,300.
That's not gouging, that is the world marketplace at the moment. Sucks for us, including myself, who couldn't afford $15k back then, but could probably swing it now.
I'd say, look at the materials being used in the Sopra line and see what has increased from five years ago. That's probably the major difference.
The manufacturers don't want to increase prices, especially in this super-competitive hobby like audio equipment, so they know that they are losing customers because of the higher costs. Sucks for everyone, really.
That's not gouging, that is the world marketplace at the moment. Sucks for us, including myself, who couldn't afford $15k back then, but could probably swing it now.
I'd say, look at the materials being used in the Sopra line and see what has increased from five years ago. That's probably the major difference.
The manufacturers don't want to increase prices, especially in this super-competitive hobby like audio equipment, so they know that they are losing customers because of the higher costs. Sucks for everyone, really.