Here's my 2 cents, maybe 1.5 for some and 2.5 for others. I work with audiophiles, daily, and see such a huge mental change happening that it makes HEA forums look like graveyards. Mapman and Uberwaltz touched on it on this thread and several others are preaching the new age on other threads and forums.
Most of the new audiophiles are not going to need to invest what generations past have spent for the same SQ. Don't get me wrong my clients build entire tunable rooms and use tunable tools, but then when comparing the massive 90's on systems to the new super low mass systems, the newer systems are winning out.
This being the case it will only be a matter of time before we will have two main camps. Those who do mechanical tuning and those who do electronic tuning. So preserving expensive high end audio ventures are going to continue to be less and less equipment wise.
The good news is, those with expensive components will be able to cash in and pay for their newer systems with money to bank. That is except for the last ones standing.
mg