Often we thiok some manufacturers are asking too much for what is inside the components they're selling. We need to remember that they need to recoup the money spent on R&D when pricing their products. They are not in business to lose money.

I've built a number of DIY items as a favor to members of various forums (DC blockers and IR remote triggers for the legacy model Classe amplifiers) at near cost price. If I were to charge what I thought was a fair and reasonable price for my precious spare time building these items, people would probably think they were being ripped off paying so much for what seems like so little for the money.

I don't doubt there are manufacturers who charge too much, but that is a topic for another discussion. Just my $.02.