Case in point would be the counter-example provided by a highly
inexpensive DVD player that I recently dissasembled and examined. It
did not use a multi-voltage transformer as such, but instead used a
relatively complex switchmode power supply that automatically adapted
itself to work with a wide variety of power line voltages and
frequencies. Only the detachable power cord needed to match the wall
outlets in whatever country it was used in. This part is routinely
available in various styles from a large number of third-party sources.

It's a way to further enable their Euro distributors to rear-end
their
native clientele, is what I have discovered.

It has been reported that at least one high end vendor has added
circuitry that monitors not only the power line voltage but also the
power line frequency. This circuitry is tailored to the country in
which the equipment is distributed. Thus, simply matching the voltage
will not enable the equipment to be used in some other country that
uses a different power line frequency. Ironically, the equipment in
question is said to be basically very conservatively designed.
Therefore it would otherwise not be very important that the power line
frequency be carefully matched.

Being a DIYer by nature this doesnt bother me, but what it does do is
make it harder to run your stuff on 230V US power, meaning two hots
and
a ground. That's balanced power, and much cheaper than expensive
center
tapped transformers giving 60-0-60. When my listening room was
refurbed
I had them put in air conditioner outlets which they did, although
they
didn't quite believe why I wanted them.

In the US 230 volt wiring is usually reserved for use with very high
powered amplifiers. 230 volt power outlets have special connectors. I
presume that you modified European equipment accordingly.

In my case I just used the primary windings appropriately. My preamp
had a 120V only power xfmr but I have the 220 and 110 outlets next to
each other which has worked fine. I thought it might lead to higher
noise but it has worked out well. If the noise had been higher I would
have got a big toroidal autoformer and wired it up for 2:1 stepdown
symetrically, or got off my ass and put a 220 transformer in my preamp
which is homemade anyway (it's a Marantz 7 clone with attention paid to
Walt Jung's POOGE article in Audio Amateur.) I have never operated my
power amp on 120V long term so can provide no detailed A/B....but it
surely can't be worse. My CD player is a cheap one that does 120/240
automatically (switchmode supply) but I did put a jack in the back for
earth ground. It has a two pin 220 cord (now!) with no ground now which
is probably not UL acceptable. I would not do this if the equipment it
drives were not user repairable.

Why the Stereophile/TAS crowd isn't touting the benefits of the
common
air conditioner outlet...oh yeah, no high markup there.

Why would you be surprised that vendors who are already devoted to
increased profit margins, take additional steps to further increase
their profits.

I'm more disgusted customers are putting up with it.