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I Don't Want to be an Audiophile, What am I...
I don't know why I don't like the term Audiophile. There is just something about it I don't like. Too Euro Trash maybe? Perhaps Hobbyist is a better description for me?
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I’m proud to be an audiophile. The term has no "stereotypical" negative connotations for me. It’s been a hell of a rewarding journey, and I’ve met some brilliant people. I’m proud of the system I’ve built with nearly no budget, the path I took, what I’ve learned, the intensity with which I went at it, and the end results of that pursuit. I happen to think the recorded music in my home sounds stunning, and I enjoy listening to the system with the same level of passion I pursued building it with. No regrets, no apologies. |
That’s very good thanks and super cool band, but not what I was thinking. Doesn’t help that I spelt my suggestion also thinking of the band. Divineophile. Disco, American icon.. |
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The problem is I don't believe most of us understand it as merely being enthusiastic. Its commonly perceived as ocb, or minimally a passion, both seem excessive for an inanimate object.
The inherent problem is our systems have potential to deliver sound reproduction that brings life like performers into our rooms. Kind of like magic, or religion? |
One of the definitions of audiophile was that it is a disease and I always knew I had it… always a pursuit that was a bit more than just passionate. That one audio dollar equals about $100 regular dollars. Also that my audio system has always been of far greater value than my car… one of the tests to see if you have the disease. It has been incredibly rewarding. |
Audiophiles had bad reputation only because most of them had no clues.. Music lovers at least have music and live with no clue about S.Q. sometimes...
I dont know what i am but having some clues i listen music at no cost at optimal working S.Q. level... What am i ? A man with a basic method... Begin with acoustic...
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The distinction between audiophile and music lover is one that I first became aware of back in the days I used to read both the music press and the Hi-Fi press. Not only did the readers of the music press not seem to overly care about their replay equipment but there were very few adverts promoting upgrades. Some of this was no doubt down to the differing demographics of the readership. I think it's fairly safe to assume that readers of the audio press would tend to be older and also have a greater disposable income. I know that in my teens it was far more important to build up a collection of LPs than it was to upgrade my system. Only once I'd got down to around 150 LPs did I consider spending money on audio upgrades. It was unthinkable to throw money at system upgrades when there were still dozens of LPs I'd read about but hadn't heard yet.
Audiophilia nowadays is basically a form of OCD, the stuff of nonsense since perfectly acceptable sound is available for a relatively small investment of time and money nowadays. If we insist on going beyond tthat then we must be prepared for some seriously tough climbing ahead. Not only will we be beset by audio shills and snake oil salesmen, we will have to navigate through the jungle of different pressings and mmasterings. Yes, there are sources of information that will be of help [stevehoffman music forum, Parlogram Auctions, Super Deluxe Edition etc] but whatever happened to the days when you happily paid for an album and enjoyed it without this additional layer of potential neurosis? All of this under a climate of the dreaded loudness wars imposed by an industry that cares not one jot for our audiophile leanings. |
As has been well said Audiophile is a completely appropriate term. |
@CD813
There's a lot of room for different interpretations of the definitions of "Audiophilia" and "perfectly acceptable sound". My wife's view of acceptable sound is very different than mine...she'd prefer small and attractive...period. I'm very much concerned with whether or not the sound can convince my brain that there's music being played. We all have a very unique requirement to satisfy that illusion, and for some it is indeed a very steep climb.....but once that summit has been reached, the "OCD"-ness subsides, and the enjoyment of music can be taken to a level that satisfies that unique requirement.
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@knotscott, "I’m very much concerned with whether or not the sound can convince my brain that there’s music being played. We all have a very unique requirement to satisfy that illusion, and for some it is indeed a very steep climb....."
This is very much the hook, the elusive great white whale. Shiver me timbers the damn thing won’t keep still! Can’t get a harpoon on him, just a glancing sight now and then. A tantalising glimmer into another world beyond this one, but then it’s gone.
Simply far too many variables and far too many side roads and trappy cul de sacs along the way. Those apocryphal stories of audiophiles who have mega buck systems but only 6 records they regularly play are probably not as fantastic as we might like to believe. What if were the case that given a particular system in a particular room with a particular listener, that there were no more than half a dozen albums that could provide the necessary thrill so desired by the listener?
We all have to draw the line somewhere (or die trying), don’t we? But it’s far from easy. Just yesterday I was reading of Pete Townshend working on a new mastering of Who’s Next.
So we go on. And on. And on. |
