Internet reviews are a really good way to identify some of the best, most consistently good-value products in almost any hobby or field. If you look at this sub, you would think there are only a dozen brands in the entire hardware industry (I even made a meme about it).
There is so much great gear out there that you will never find reading reviews and forums. Not that there’s anything wrong with LS50’s and Schiit and Topping and SVS and Monoprice. But I think we would all do ourselves a favor to try to listen to a wide array of equipment, especially used equipment, which is often fantastic and worth 10x its cost in sound quality.
You’ve succinctly wrote my exact thoughts on the scaling.
I mean how many units are being sold to keep an esoteric $10k tube preamp maker afloat financially? Are they mere hobbyists with another source of income?
Some, like Geshelli for example, get a marketing boost good review or two & become “overnight hits.” But they are a known giant killer bargain.