Pass Labs

In terms of results, sometimes there is and sometimes there isn’t.
In any case , in a mass society the marketers are far more important
then the market . 

I have never climbed a golden stair case nor have I ever, or will I ever audition a $80,000 dollar amp or $100,000 set of speakers. I can say though, that I have (after many hours of listening and comparing and within the limits of my budget) a system that sounds very nice in my environment playing the kinds of music I enjoy. It's a pleasure to know there are still a few very good US, Canadian and European companies that still produce some very fine, equipment at a reasonable cost and maintain a high level of customer service for us common folk.
Jim 

"It seems in some circles if an audio product is very affordable yet
said to sound excellent it will be viewed warily by some merely because it isn’t expensive (enough)."

Perhaps, but how many "giant killers" or fad budget items of the year/month have there been that turned out not to be the Davids that some reviewer(s) or bandwagon fanboys made them out to be?  Healthy skepticism?

Or, is this a status symbol/bragging-right thing?

"There is little to no market, for the average audiophile (affordable for someone making $65k)."

What? I make well in excess of $65k, but with my household and familial obligations, that is far from affordable to me.