[werd]

Music can be heard everywhere. Its in our car, its at work, in our house or even just on the street being playing through what ever medium is used. In our house we have our systems playing. Casual, we just walk around our home as the system plays and very often it invades our thoughts resulting in nothing more than just a distraction. Smothering our real affection for what we yearn as a musical event.

An avid love of music is the only recipe that will set you down the road to listening philia. Its not until we engage the music played that it becomes more than a just a listening habit. Sitting down and engaging the sweet spot is when it goes from music background to a real musical event. Here is where the audiophile takes over. Enjoy all the listening nuances of the sweet spot and go buy better gear and you officially have come out of the closet. There are no stats, no numbers of any sort that will quantify you. You are ninja and no one knows what an audiophile really is but the person at the point of all musical information properly layered and powered to the point of musical bliss. You are alone believe me.

I have been on this road for decades on and off. Its comes with a lot of great moments of "this is it", i got it and my system is done.... I really believed for years that my kef 104/2 were the most musical and stereo imaged speakers you could buy (and maybe they were). Or maybe my tastes just changed. I went from a speaker that was loaded front to back to a high floorstander that is narrow and not deep like my AZ's. Its just my taste atm and i feel quite settled.

The most important part of an audiophile is experience is the source. Its plays the band, it just makes all musical information happen. The source is boss. Its just that simple. Whatever source you choose is what you will hear amplified through your speakers. Next the amp power and AC is the heart of the system. Your power is the absolute make or break when it comes to the soundstage. It also tends to be the most expensive piece in your system. You get what you pay for in power unlike digital front ends that have come down in price.

Not really interested in getting into component priority.

My 14B has really allowed me to hear my system amplified. I love the speed of my bdp/bda. I also love hearing the tubes in my Response audio pre. The 14B is nicely paced with its high slew rate. I really feel this helps the presentation i get. I have never heard amps quite like the 14B or the 28's. They power the soundstage and thats it. They really do not power their own brand signature. I don't agree with (a brand signature on these amps) at all. Engaging the sweet spot musical instruments appear and dissappear with no hint of power brand. The 4B is more brand sounding imo. As you move up the Bryston line you get a wonderful choke filtered approach that clears all noise. You get instruments infront of you and thats it layered and powered.

To me this is what power is all about and moving into more brand sound or colored sounding amps adds fatigue and bandaid presentation. Its imo the wrong way to deal with power.

After years i have finally found an amp that proves to be an audiophile approach - an amazingly powerful uncolored soundstage.

[*Scotty*]

I think in order for the audiophile label to stick the subject has to exhibit mild to severe symptoms of OCD and anxiety about his hobby. In other words an awful lot of behavior related to the subjects hobby has to be of a pathological nature. This would be behaviors that are irrational,self-defeating and ultimately harmful to the subject.
 Such behavior would interfere with paying their bills, having successful interpersonal relationships and keeping a job to name a few examples.
 I think someone who exhibits a healthy interest in an audio hobby that stops well short of obsessive behavior may not deserve the label of "audiophile".
Scotty
 

[HiFiSoundGuy]

No, I'm a MUSIC LOVER ! If Jeff Dorgay only had another pair of these 901's to review together in one system he might be blown away by the SOUND ! I sure I'm !...

  http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/IP.Board/index.php?showtopic=5722

[Rclark]

^Everyday I'm shufflin' 

[Rclark]

 The way I see it, audiophiles pursue a noble cause. We want to experience music at the highest fidelity possible, and we want to share it with others. We enjoy what everyone in the world enjoys and has enjoyed for eons, something even whales enjoyed before us, the song.

 While everyone else suffers with grating, heavily diluted, substandard playback, many since youth, and are therefore accustomed, we experience music on a much higher level, so good that we dedicate seperate systems, even whole rooms solely to it.

 Music is a part of the evolution of life itself. It is right that we attempt to do it justice.


 (sorry for getting quasi-religious there)

[Pez]

I agree with what you said except for one thing, I really don't give a damn if others enjoy high fidelity. I honestly don't. It's nice I have some audiophile friends who like this stuff, but I have never once truly converted someone into an audiophile... Ever. I gave up that pursuit a long time ago. People just don't care about this stuff and when they don't it's pointless to push them. They won't just decide one day to spend stupid amounts of money to do this because I 'showed them the way' Maybe I'm jaded, but I just don't care if others get into this or not.

That isn't to say I don't care about the people who are truly into this stuff, you guys are great. 

[Rclark]

Well, by share I don't necessarily meant convert, but just share with those in our circle. Even if it's just an Audiocircle.

[jaxwired]

I'm think there are a few categories here:
1) music lover (pure)
2) music lover who's an audiophile
3) audiophile who loves music
4) audiophile (pure)

#1 loves music and couldn't care less what it's recorded on or played back through.  A music lover just the same.
#2 loves their music but believe that utilizing better sound equipment can help them enjoy that music more.  If they could not afford the gear, that would be fine, they would still listen and enjoy the same amount of music.  THE MUSIC DRIVES THEIR INTEREST IN THE GEAR but the HEART is the MUSIC.
#3 love the gear and everything that goes with it, fiddling and playing with it to get perceived improvements - they also love music but would not nearly listen to as much of it, if they couldn't have a good playback system and source files.  So the amount they listen to music and the time they spend with music is based on or driven by their fascination with the gear.  Though they love music, THE GEAR DRIVES THEIR INTEREST in MUSIC.
#4 A rare breed, more focused on the great then anything else and spend little time actually listening to the music..

Spot on.  And interestingly I'd say the population fits those categories in descending order.  Meaning there are the most of number 1 and the least of number 4.  Most people that listen to music are in fact just music lovers and have near zero interest in improving fidelity.  Whatever equipment they have is plenty good enough.

I'd say I'm right between 2 and 3. Equal love for the music and the equipment.  I buy as much music as I can find that's worth buying.  I spend a lot of time on line hunting for new music to buy.   Also, my system is not just a toy, I listen to it daily and usually for more than an hour per session.  And not as background music.

Music and Gear, both great hobbies.   

[jaxwired]

I agree with what you said except for one thing, I really don't give a damn if others enjoy high fidelity. I honestly don't. It's nice I have some audiophile friends who like this stuff, but I have never once truly converted someone into an audiophile... Ever. I gave up that pursuit a long time ago. People just don't care about this stuff and when they don't it's pointless to push them. They won't just decide one day to spend stupid amounts of money to do this because I 'showed them the way' Maybe I'm jaded, but I just don't care if others get into this or not.

That isn't to say I don't care about the people who are truly into this stuff, you guys are great. 

Totally agree with this.  In fact, I had an email exchange with Robert Harley of TAS about this because he (like many in this hobby) think that the answer to saving the hobby is by simply exposing people to a high end system.  The theory is that once they hear it, they will want to buy a system for them themselves.  This is wishful thinking and almost entirely untrue.  It's like me with a high end home theater.  I get it.  I get what's great about it.  I can afford one.  Still don't have one.  I use the TV speakers.  Always have, always will.  It's not that I don't understand it or that I'm not impressed when I hear and see a great home theater, it's just that I don't care or want to spend money on that.  That's how it is for most people and stereos.  They understand that a great system sounds great, but they still don't want to buy one.  I also make no attempt to convert people.  In fact, when people come over and we give them the home tour I don't even turn on the system for them to hear unless they are clearly genuinely interested (which is rare).

[jjc1]

I agree with what you said except for one thing, I really don't give a damn if others enjoy high fidelity. I honestly don't. It's nice I have some audiophile friends who like this stuff, but I have never once truly converted someone into an audiophile... Ever. I gave up that pursuit a long time ago. People just don't care about this stuff and when they don't it's pointless to push them. They won't just decide one day to spend stupid amounts of money to do this because I 'showed them the way' Maybe I'm jaded, but I just don't care if others get into this or not.

That isn't to say I don't care about the people who are truly into this stuff, you guys are great. 

. I agree with your assessment that you can't turn someone into an audiophile. I have had experience  with professional musicians who have heard there own recordings on my system and were floored by the sound. They agree that they need to upgrade their equipment (which is not at all audiophile quality) but it never happens. Other friends cannot believe how much I spend on equipment (which is not in the extreme). I am starting to believe that there is an audiophile gene. Some have it, most do not.
  The problem I see, is that if not enough of the younger generation cares, then how long can audiophilia last?

[SoundGame]

I don't believe you can instantly turn someone into an audiophile.  I do believe that a given person has to be somewhat open-minded, even curious, somewhat of an analytic and definitely have a level of music enjoyment.  If they have these characteristics, they can be with time channeled down the path - starting with #1 in my list and heading towards #4 but possibly never getting there or for that matter, never even leaving #1.

I've taught a few people what to listen to and what to listen for and have had some success in getting a few to move from 1 to somewhere between 1&2 but it's very difficult to get someone to #2. 

This scale would need to be broadened out with a number of interim steps to be more applicable to those in transition; however, for the purposes here - I think it facilitates our discussion.

Cheers

[Laundrew]

I have contemplated this most interesting thread over the last few days and I am compelled to remain with my original postulation; that I do not consider myself an audiophile. I would also not trivialize my enjoyment of music by referring to it as simply a hobby. My passion for music has always remained constant over the years while the only fluctuation was the type of audio equipment that I have owned.

Perhaps individuals have lost appreciation for the simple enjoyment of music in that it has become an infatuation with the equipment itself, The Holy Grail if you will. While I have no intentions of sitting in front of my gear and critically analyzing every CD I listen to, I also respect individuals whom enjoy doing this, as diversity can, at times, be the spice of life. The simple question "Are you an audiophile" in this thread is do you consider yourself an audiophile? Simplistically, we are stating our opinions or beliefs of how we perceive ourselves with respect to audio.

            If an individual only owned an iPod and considered themselves an audiophile, would you argue this point?

An item of contention that seems to permeate the audiophile persona is “elitism” or perhaps more suitably referred to as common snobbery. Unfortunately, this behavior was definitely the status quo for the majority of audio salespersons that I had the displeasure of meeting and interestingly enough, all classified themselves as “audiophiles.” Rudeness also seemed to go hand-in-hand with many of these individuals as they either looked down their nose at you, were simply ignored and a gauntlet of comments ranging from “you can’t afford this anyway” to “I know best.”

How many times have you noticed “less than polite” bantering here on AudioCircle where an individual is either extremely closed-minded or taken offense when their “expertise” or personal choices are questioned? Could it be also be related to the amount of money that individuals spend on their equipment? When audiophiles spend tens-of-thousands on an audio system, are they insulted when someone does not share their same tastes in manufacturers or audio performance?

Please note and to also be fair, I am not grouping all audiophiles into these categories.

Do not get me wrong, I deeply enjoy my gear and it does bring a smile to my face, but I still find myself in agreement with the other members that have responded to this thread simply as “enjoyers of music.” I have always maintained that ratings or classifications are primarily related to an individual’s mindset and if they wish to be identified or associated with a particular group – all the more power to them.

Music is food for the soul, and yes, it definitely tastes better with high performance gear – but at the end of the day, it is still food, simple nourishment whether it is served from your trusty iPod or your “über” system sitting on the shelf.

Be well…

[Pez]

I would most definately say someone who had only an iPod is an audiophile if they claim to be. Absolutely. If their ultimate goal is fidelity for the music they enjoy which increases their enjoyment! When I was 14 years old I owned a Walkman. You remember those things that played tapes you actually had to rewind and fast forward to get to a different track? Any way I didn't know it at the time, but I was a budding audiophile. I didnt know other people were also trying to find better headphones and trying to make things sound better. Yet there I was, audiophiling it up!

Any way to go back to my analogy early about us all being Americans, there are always going to be people who are awful, yet they are still Americans right? Same with a-hole audio-shop jerks who think they are smarter or better than anyone else. Yes they are audiophiles and yes so are you.

[Diamond Dog]

Any way to go back to my analogy early about us all being Americans...

Really ?

D.D.

[Pez]

Haha never have words been more misspoken. 

[Laundrew]

I would most definately say someone who had only an iPod is an audiophile if they claim to be. Absolutely. If their ultimate goal is fidelity for the music they enjoy which increases their enjoyment! When I was 14 years old I owned a Walkman. You remember those things that played tapes you actually had to rewind and fast forward to get to a different track? Any way I didn't know it at the time, but I was a budding audiophile. I didnt know other people were also trying to find better headphones and trying to make things sound better. Yet there I was, audiophiling it up!

Any way to go back to my analogy early about us all being Americans, there are always going to be people who are awful, yet they are still Americans right? Same with a-hole audio-shop jerks who think they are smarter or better than anyone else. Yes they are audiophiles and yes so are you.

I'll you what, if I ever purchase a pair of K2s, I will be more than happy to stand up in front of the group, raise my right hand and profoundly proclaim, "My name is Laundrew and I am an audiophile."

 

Be well...

[HsvHeelFan]

I'm a:

1) Music Lover.

So, I voted No...

Audiophile?  Not so much.  I've always let my ears do the listening and choosing my equipment.  But, it's not about the equipment, it's about the music.

For the past 20 years, I've had a 30 minute commute, so I'm in the car a minimum of an hour every day. So, I tend to upgrade my car stereo's.  I'm a fan of Alpine car audio.  My current car has Sony in it and it's just okay.  Not great, but really not worth the 3 grand or so to upgrade.

For home audio, I have a small Home Theater system with an Onkyo AV Receiver and Polk separates with a Polk 10 in sub.  I consider it a toy.  The family likes it, but it is not serious audio.

My stereo system, is where I listen to music.  I don't tweak it endlessly.  I picked my speakers out a long time ago and upgraded my pre-amp/amp combo in 2001.  I purchased a Denon DCM-390 3 or 4 years ago when my former CD player died.   The only thing I've done since then is build a music server personal computer.  It's audio performance is better than the Denon DCM-390 CD player that I have.  So, it's an improvement.

HsvHeelFan

[Rclark]

I'm sure it's a bell shaped curve, like a lot of things. The top of the curve being ipods.

 As far as snobbery? I've seen Ipod users sneer at people with portable cd players. Snobbery is human, pervasive.

[acresm22]

I don't think snobbery is the tell-tale sign.
If you're interested in the equipment side of the hobby, and have (and continue to) invest time and money to that end, you're an audiophile.
If you love music and spend a lot of time collecting and listening to music, but don't particularly care about the equipment and see it only as a means to an end, you're not an audiophile.
I have a good friend who is an incredible musician, plays a range of stringed instruments very well, but listens to all his music on a Zenith Allegro all-in-one system (record player, 8-track player, AM-FM radio) from the 70s, with a second-hand CD player from the 80s plugged in as well. He is not an audiophile.

[sfraser]

How about this, a music lover may own loads of music hi-rez or otherwise, and listen to music as much as they possibly can. An audiophile may be all of the above, BUT when listening to music, particularly with an accurate system, the music becomes distracting, engaging, perhaps all encompassing, demanding the audiophile's complete  attention. I know quite a few music lovers...bless there soul, as they are often my primary introduction to new music. However true audiophiles I can count on one hand, minus guys/gals on this site of course.