I’ve wondered whether the main customers for this type of equipment are audiophiles that use motivated reasoning and placebo effects to justify their purchase OR if this is being purchased by “installers” that build systems for the ultra wealthy who don’t know any better

They buy it because they want to tell people it cost $25k.

If it's a fucking turd, which it is, does not form part of the equation.

Tekton had a similar war in the past and it greatly damaged their reputation in audiophile circles.

https://www.audioresurgence.com/2024/04/asrs-contentious-cla...

Streisand Effect was strong on this one.