When did I say more expensive makes it better? My post was closer to implying the opposite...
I am merely stating that, cloning and patching aside as that is an entirely different ball game, if you want that particular piece of gear, you have to pay for it. They are hugely successful so their pricing structure clearly works, and taking inflation into account their pedals are certainly becoming cheaper and more accessible. Its easy to think that £389 is a lot of money, because it is, but the fact is a B7K was only a fraction less than this when it came out some 8 years ago. That's a whole lot of R&D for the money! Let's compare other pedal manufactures for costs in 2010 and 2018, I think Darkglass are doing very well indeed to keep things more affordable. If you can't afford the big guns, they offer B3K/Omicron/Vintage for around £225....the original B3K from many moons ago was £245 new at Bass Direct...
Digital effects are CLEARLY more economical, although I am yet to hear any digital distortion that can hold a candle to analog and iv tried most, however I'd like to hear the Helix. They are otherwise excellent units in the most part and I would be happy to use a cheap digi for modulation, filter etc. But it really isn't a fair comparison, comparing a Zoom multi to Darkglass gear is crazy, they are not in the same market.