Seeing Vincent Audio's new KHV-111MK headphone amplifier [$499.95] on the news section of 6Moons + my thread on the Asgard and Valhalla headphone amps from Schiit Audio reminds me that a major trend seems to be towards headphone users.

Quote Originally Posted by Schiit Audio Website
So Why Headphone Amps?
A realization. In the old days, audiophiles went up the food chain from the table radio to the console stereo to separate speakers the size of refrigerators and monoblocks that would cook a cat. Today, nobody starts with a table radio. Everyone—and we mean everyone—starts with an iPod and headphones screwed into their ears. Headphones are now the standard.

And what happens when someone decides to lose the earbuds and get some serious headphones? They quickly find that their iPod (or Zune, or laptop, you know what we mean) won’t drive them. Or sounds like crap. Or both.

Now it’s time for them to get a headphone amplifier. Which is where we come in.
I think that quote sums up what's happening with young, potential audiophiles... Some will stick with headphones as their primary (or even only) HiFi setup, while others will advance to speakers.