Just for fun, I was trying to build a system that would get you as close as possible to these functionalities for the cheapest possible ways using all separates.
The cheapest NC252 MP amp I found was from audiophonics and it was -555 USD.
For Dirac, the equivalent processor looks like ddrc 22D -700 USD
Bluesound node 2i 650 USD
A cheap DAC -I chose for reference the e30 -125 USD
at this point I was already past 2k, and I have to say I've bumped a wall.
-How Am I gonna get 2 extra analog inputs going trough dirac
-How am I gonna, post dirac and conversion, get to route a separate signal to my subs
-How am I gonna get the HDMI signal of my TV in my sound system
Basically, I was not able to build this feature set, any ideas? to me It definitely shows the relevance of a product like that, It definetly looks and feel better than this equipment list + the front display is not only nice, it's a feature that you can't just "Add".
Then I was looking at my own chain, A schitt Freya, A Bluesound node (1st gen) a e30 dac a couple of nc 500 diy mono blocs, I'm past 2700 by a good margin, still all these items can be considered cost conscious choices. Yes all these perform better than the internals version in the M10. But does it sound better? Honestly, without room correction, I think not, It is my belief that room correction would make a much more audible upgrade than any 5-10 dB SINAD gain, even tough I am quite satisfied with how it sounds, and there is no particular problems with my room. I believe dsp is key and we should embrace it. Not everybody can have a dedicated, well acoustically treated room.
So my 2 cents It's not just a "Lifestyle" product, it's a smart product, can't beat that kind of convenience, feature set, form factor, not the whole of it.