can this fact be accurate?

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.

Tom and Griff, again just a guess, but I suspect that in light of current economic conditions and the uneven distribution of wealth, I would define "hi-end" as a complete system costing more than $10K, possibly even less. Hell, most people in this country have a tough time socking bucks away in an IRA or 401(k). In those cases, a family that can't even save for retirement would be absolutely nuts to drop even $1K on an audio system. IMHO.

Tom, you make a good point about digital and hi-rez downloads. But what about the cost of the rest of the system, e.g., pre, amp and speakers? Sure, low-fi or mid-fi might cost $5K or less, but here again, how many families can even afford that?

I realize that I am asking more questions than giving opinions, but when one looks at the amount of income the average family unit earns, it's a wonder how they even get by. So if making the mortgage payment and buying food is tough, how the hell would such a family go about dropping $5K, $4 or less on a music systme?

So yes, I suspect that the number of serious audiophile who wind up dropping $$ into audio systems could be low, perhaps 100,000 if not less. IMHO