Sure it can!
In fact, I was thinking about the very same thing a couple of months ago, and while doing a quick search on my computer I've found a thread in the Audio Exotics forum about Zanden's new top of the line, cost no object electronics ("Chouku", "Jinpu" & "Chukoh").
One of the posts details how those 100k-200k per unit audio novelties came to life, and to resume on the subject, they were made possible because one prominent member of that community (probably the forum owner, I don't remember) asked Yamada san (Zanden's designer/owner) if he could build a cost no object line and if he had an idea of how they will be if he agrees to do it.
Yamada san response was along the lines of: "I already know exactly how they would be, but I don't have enough money for development" which was met with a response along the lines of: "we'll pay the development costs but we'll be the only dealer that sells the products".
IMO, there're very high chances of the lower end Zanden electronics benefitting from trickle down tech of the top ones, and that's where the more average user benefits himself with a higher quality product. Also, don't underestimate the power of the used market, which broadens the possible user base thanks to a lower price compared to buying an unused product.
As long as a wealthy, concentrated target audience exists, such as, for example, Hong Kong, this is going to happen cyclically year after year (let me name a few more: Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC, Thales Statement tonearm, Hartvig Statement turntable which doesn't even figure on the manufacturer's website, etc). All that we have to do is to wait a couple of years for the used units once the shine wears off or to the trickle down model tailored to a more "occidental" budget and tastes.
I would also like to mention the influence of forums, which, at least to me as a user or potential customer of "insert X" audio product, makes it much more easier to get an idea of how good/what kind sound character has compared to "insert Y" audio product, from like 10 differents opinions in 10 different systems. Yes, is not even remotely as accurate as hearing it or making the comparison in person, but for sure is much better than reading outdated, highly biased and useless magazines as TAS or Stereophile, which may go bankrupt in 15-20 years max IMHO, as the old media model of "one man paid by the advertiser gives his opinion about the advertised product" is dying thanks to the wonderful presence of online communities.
This, of course, forces manufacturers to up their game and better themselves every time, now is much more difficult to please, certainly much more than paying for an ad, get a glowing review and users claiming "it is the best I've heard!" while neglecting to mention their previous gear was an iPod
