Understanding the motives behind some of the marketing and pricing decisions made by SonicBlue in recent months would require an omnipotent being, I think.

Who knows why they do what they do? I agree that the Rio Central is expensive, I'm sure the people who developed it think it's expensive and were hoping it would sell for less. I agree that pricing it high will preclude a large number of sales. But trying to just add up fictional component pricing and then second-guessing their sales and marketing people is ultimately self-defeating. There's no way we'll ever know.

I will say that it's worth it, just like the equally-pricey Empeg Car is worth it. But unless you own one or you have had a chance to use one extensively, you don't see the value.