The issue is I have is that people are being convinced they need to spend $100's and $1000's of dollars to get the placebo effect. If it is indeed just placebo

The issue is I have is that people are being convinced they need to spend $100's and $1000's of dollars to get the placebo effect. If it is indeed just placebo it should be acheivable for free. Instead what you have is not placebo effect, but perceived value effect. After working in high-end audio for many years it became apparent that the (high) price tag was in fact the benefit. Some people just want what there neighbor cannot afford.