Preemptively destroy any margin because something else might be better in the future? Especially when the current unit is conclusively shown to be state-of-the-art even after having been on the market for something like two years? And thus jeopardize sufficient revenue to continue R&D efforts on its successor?
Truth be told, if the Okto Research DAC starts picking up the pace with units this year (and the center they said they're going to have in the US) there will be pretty stiff competition soon enough. Also with the latest DAC chips hitting the market, those that care for pure performance metrics may have a reason to hold off on purchases that were a no-brainer a few months ago.
I don't know why that guy said to sell the RME at half price, that makes no sense to me. But with devices hitting the market this year and early-next. The gaps are starting close. The RME still plows through many regardless because of relatively unheard of DSP options (along with having the warranty service the outdoes most, and the pedegree + people at the helm that aren't voodoo proponents). Though it's been a while, and a chip refresh(slapping on the latest 4497, as the 4499 would send the price skyrocketing)with perhaps 10-band EQ, built-in Bluetooth + Balanced phone-out would solidify it's position for years again. This doesn't have to come at serious cost (needing to be the same price as the current RME DAC) so as not to obsolete the current offering.