The device itself can be designed (and most likely is designed) in the most fabulous way imaginable — by pricing it this way they make conscious decision to position themselves as a lifestyle, luxury goods, just for the target audience of people who make music.
Have you seen many people telling you how happy using SunVox (5$) makes them in comparable way?
I just think that knowing price also plays into this psychological effect. At least, it measurably does in audiophile circle.