can this fact be accurate?

If this statement really is a fact (which I cannot confirm or deny), it is accurate. ;-)

Kal

Based on just an uninformed gut feel, that number sounds about right. Even if it's all USA, high-end is still a niche market and I agree that there's a lot of manufacturers out there fighting it out for a small market. That's why I choose to buy my gear from established manufacturers. Who knows which ones will survive the audio wars.

It would depend on how someone defines what a high end audiophile is? If you would define it as someone with a system with a value of over $100,000, then that number could be alittle high! If a $10,000 system was the benchmark, then that number would be alittle low. The statement is rather meaningless in and of itself!

According to the November issue of Stereophile, they have Total paid distribution of about 65,000 copies.

IMHO, the only hope for the high end is server based digital and high-res downloads. If Apple decided to do something with this it could revitalize high end audio.

Kal, I can't understand why the high end magazines push vinyl and denigrate digital when this is the path to a slow death for the high end. Can you set me straight?

quote]According to the November issue of Stereophile, they have Total paid distribution of about 65,000 copies.[/quote]

My first reaction was the number seemed high, but this stat makes me rethink that.
I agree with the gist of Tomcy6's comment concerning the future of high end.