When someone tells you it's a $40,000 amp, does it sound better?

The problem with the high priced audio gear is that the marketing information that accompanies this gear is horrifying.  It's just a lot of crap meant to be read by people who don't know what they're doing.  The dealers don't really understand what they're selling and they don't have any of these higher end products in stock so you're forced to buy it without hearing it.  The dealers are forced to buy the product before they can sell it to you.  And even if you did hear it, it's not gonna be the same at your home.

It's the worst possible selling situation in the world.  

@mrdecibel
Being at a live show also has compromises: the person sitting in front of you, the one sitting to one side of you, the one sitting in back of you, the quality of the seating, how far back, to one side, or close you are sitting, the depth of the stage, and most importantly, the quality of the acoustics of the music hall, which are almost always compromised, depending on where you are sitting. I could go on.

@unreceivedogma 

That's a good observation.

You know, that is interesting. I don’t think I have ever read marketing information until after I have made the purchase. I have never considered it a useful source of information. 
 

I read professional reviews or audition equipment. But would never look at the market stuff.

I've listened to very expensive speakers driven by equally expensive power amps at audio shows and they sounded horrid, but f course the exhibitors claimed they sounded wonderful..  I tend to rely on my ears, not on what price is charged for the gear.