Should people with no turntable or reel to reel be considered audiophiles?

"That’s what you like but not the true sound of real MUSIC."

When it comes to rock and other "electrified" music (even if it is acoustic but amplified for the venue), it is rough out there. It is really rough around the edges, sharp indeed. It may move you, be good, etc., but it is not you smooth system at home. If for no other reason, those amplifiers, speakers, and venues are not smooth and warm.

When it comes to classical music, the one at home inevitably sounds "better", warmer, more present, and whatever other description that gets thrown in it, when compared to the one in the concert hall. I usually/often sit front row center of the few well-known venues and close my eyes to try to remember the sound. It is somehow blander than the one at home. Pleasant, but just less impressive sound signature. If I were able to reproduce it at home, someone would say it is "veiled" or not clear in some way. Sitting further from the stage (balcony, last rows of orchestra) makes it even less "there".

Those sound engineers, mastering gurus, and whoever else is involved in the recording/producing are there for some reason. They know what we like. And who likes reality?

There are too many personal attacks here. Yes' have it by a wide margin and in one of my previous posts I noted that I changed my original opinion and agree with the majority, although excluding the ones who wish they had a turntable or can't hear well anymore, or use digital because of convenience (but understand what they are missing out on), I don't consider digital only guys audiophiles. They play files, not music.

Feel free to carry on, but the tabulations are officially over now that we are over 100 posts. Let's reduce the personal attacks on each other - it doesn't add to the arguments/discussions.

That is a pretty shocking display of lack of self awareness. THIS WHOLE POST is a personal attack on everyone who does not agree with you. THE WHOLE PREMISE OF YOUR THREAD is a personal attack on everyone who does not agree with you. The only way to stop the personal attack would be to ask the mods to delete your personal attack thread.  The only reason "yes" have it by a wide margin is most people can't be bothered to respond to "bait" posts. You can't take an accurate poll in an echo chamber.

sokogear OP24 posts06-15-2020 9:19pmThere are too many personal attacks here. Yes’ have it by a wide margin and in one of my previous posts I noted that I changed my original opinion and agree with the majority, although excluding the ones who wish they had a turntable or can’t hear well anymore, or use digital because of convenience (but understand what they are missing out on), I don’t consider digital only guys audiophiles. They play files, not music.

Feel free to carry on, but the tabulations are officially over now that we are over 100 posts. Let’s reduce the personal attacks on each other - it doesn’t add to the arguments/discussions.

Well I  think it is beyond doubt that unless you have a pretentious stack of gear with price tags attached that must include a turntable and reel to reel and I would add correct cabling you are most definitely NOT an audiophile.  So the answer is NO

"I don’t consider digital only guys audiophiles. They play files, not music."

You are aware that those who play records play (scratch) irregularities on plastic, not play music?

Going back to OP, would digital reel-to-reel qualify a person as an audiophile?

By the way, I will assume the OP has never driven a Cayenne Turbo.