Has audiophilia changed your music taste?

Not one single bit. I listen to music, not my system. I only own one "audiophile" recording, which is a Sheffield Lab's LP that I bought 25 years ago.

This was confirmed to myself at CES-2003 this past winter. I found that I did not stay very long in rooms that were playing music I did not care for, no matter how good it sounded. Some companies were using specially recorded CD's to show off their gear. The performances from a musicians standpoint on many of them made my skin crawl.

Not ever.
Patricia Barber albums is just a clear example. Recorded excellent but realy now I'd fall asleep listening to them and switch to something more creative.
Have Ben Webster original vinyls but realy, nothing special that satisfies my musical interests with realy great recording as well.
Actually almost none I currently can find in audiophile marketplace that I realy like. The only exception I'd place for Ry Cooder that has excellent audiophile quality recordings and great music.

I also don't like the concept of buying strictly the music that is good for system.

I have to admit it has. When I first started getting into high end stuff I was getting all these mailers from Music Direct and Mapleshade and that started me on the jazz buying trek.

If it weren't for the musical avenues high end audio exposed to me I would have never found Jacintha, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Diana Krall, John Coltrane, Ana Caram, modern Flamenco, Nina Simone, etc...

At least I'm not listening to those early stereo test LPs my Dad had with the train starting from the left speaker and going to the right one. Remember those?

Yep, me too. If anything, it has broadened the scope of things that I listen to, though, so I consider it a good thing. In fact, I sometimes find myself listening to and seeking out things purely because I like the lushness or tonality or warmth of the sound, even though, in a purely musical sense, I might not have been all that thrilled by the music previously. For example, there is something unescapably spine-tinglingly wonderful about the deeply organic thrummings of a chello that I never even realized, let alone gave a damn about, prior to having equipment that could do it justice. Now, just thinking about it thrills me (look at me here, all thrilled). Sometimes I put things in just for their tonality or the pallete of the sound. Am I listening to the tonality of the music or the system -- who cares, it makes me happy. (I am convinced that it takes both, though.) Wierd? Sure, that shoe fits perfectly, I already have a couple of pairs, and I wear it proudly.

Gunbei; the train recordings...too funny!

I also agree with you about finding John Coltrane. the entire reason i got into hifi was to get as close to really hearing this guy as i could. like matchstikman i also got away from my old tastes and now just can't wait to blast some great jazz and enjoy the full range of the instruments as loudly as i can and pretend i'm listening live. i'm always putting on old stuff i liked only to hop up after a few seconds and stick on somethign from coltrane again. i just became fully addicted. same with female vocals; nina simone, cat power and others.

thats the long answer to a great post: yes, my music tastes have changed...and i like it!

for a real treat that might also change tastes for people; find the 45 speed single one-sided pressing of Louis Armstrong singing "St. James Infirmary" on Classic records. (~$15/$20?) I heard this on a reference system at a dealer with Dekay and some others from audiogon. i always liked louis armstrong, i just never 'got' that he was a genius. man, to have heard some of these guys live... oh, well. that's why we're spending all our money here.