This is something I’ve noticed lately. A lot of hifi shops and hifi manufacturers have helpful staff, but just as many are extremely rude and arrogant.
I’ve had people speak condescendingly about my amp when I’m demoing speakers. Same thing for my speakers. I’ve even had someone, and I kid you not, tell me my streamer has shit sound quality.
It seems like hifi shops are either extremely helpful or just downright awful. The same with manufacturers, they either recognise that there exists alternatives or everything sucks ass compared to their product.
sadly it’s like many things which are high end; you’d likely experience similar behavior (or worse) walking into a designer clothes store or super car dealer. the people who work in these types of stores work with expensive product, and somehow an air of arrogance develops around this environment. it’s unfortunate because, unlike expensive clothes or cars, where people want to be associated with that product/brand, audio gear doesn’t carry the same caché, and it does nothing more than turn people away from this hobby.