Personally I think high dollar just gets you a lighter HS. In the spring of 2011 I took my '87 Bianchi with a cheap OEm steel Tange HS into a shop for replacement. I just assumed since I had used this bike for a winter commuter (I had overhauled the HS a few times in the very early '90s) but in '96 I used it and it was unfortunatle put away wet and forgotten. Much to my suprise I was told the HS was in great shape and just needed an overhaul.

Some of my recent build needing a basic 1" threaded HS simple got black or silver Ritchey loging with larger bottom BBs which I think run about $25 to 30.