Quote Originally Posted by RoyY51
A guy is showing his friend his new invention...the friend agrees that it is truly amazing. the friend then asks what the price will be for this marvel. The inventor says: "A million dollars". The friend says: "A million dollars? You're not going to sell many at that price!" The inventor says: "That's OK...I only have to sell one!"

Maybe ClearAudio and others have adopted the same business model.
Yep... that's exactly the case... essentially what JRH said....

Manufacturers often produce statement pieces which are really designed to push the limits of their design experience.... these pieces may or may not be available to the general public (if they are made available - it is often in very limited quantities that are done special order, rather than sold in a store).... The technology developed in these pieces is slowly trickled down to their more affordable products....

So you need to consider these statement pieces for what they are: R&D for the manufacturer, rather than actual consumer products....