Stfoth, you are correct. If you browse the Audiogon Blue Book, it is clear that both the volume and the price of most high end gear took a huge hit in 2008-2009, making bargains available. Since then, some items have maintained that price level, while others have continued to decline simply based on age. But the early 2000's were a sellers market and prices were quite high by today's standards.
That said, in the late 60's or 70's with even a modest middle class income could afford "hi-fi" with good sounding gear. Truly terrific gear like the first Magnapans, the Rabco SL-8 straight line, etc.were affordable to a lot of people, much more than they would be today. I would nominate that period as the best market for (then) high-end gear.