Audiophiles and music lovers


I know you can be a music lover and not be an audiophile. Most music lovers are not audiophiles. The question is can you be an audiophile and not be a music lover?
taters
You took the thread right out of my head! Is there shame or embarrassment in admitting you listen to your system firstly "because" of the music? Both require the other to exist. So why does it matter? Being an audiophile is the hobby. Loving the music is the reason for the hobby. When you're engaged in the hobby, how can music take precedent? Music enables it. It's not any less enjoyable. In fact it's more so because now I have a reason to listen more intently. I've always loved music but since being introduced to HI-FI, I've come to love it much more. I don't understand the conundrum. When my system is set up just right, I'm going to especially pay attention to it's performance. If it's not, I'm going to fiddle with it. It's a hobby. When I'm driving around in my van or at my job, music is playing. I assure you I'm at those times not paying attention to the system.
So my answer to the op's question is absolutely not. If you claim to be, then you're just as interested in the technical function of any other electronic equipment also. Or you have a weird fettish.
Some people just like gadgets. This was really true back in the days of tape and turntables. Lots of hands on stuff. I have known them. They used to be my main source of gear. (used)
Cheers
Just give me a boom-box and I'll still enjoy the music.

The ones that love the hobby for the gear and don't really love the music are more techno-junkies than audiophiles. Nothing wrong with that either. Whatever floats your boat.
Like many other hobbies, there are a great many audiophiles who are only into the technical side of things, and often don't even enjoy what they are hearing because they are obsessed with some technical detail. Or they just want what they think is the latest greatest new toy. I have unfortunately encountered a great many audiophiles who know shockingly little about music. So though you would think it would be required in theory to be a music lover to be an audiophile, it is clearly not the case in actual practice.