Where are the young audiophiles?

There are good dealers and bad dealers, like in any market. I have found and remained close to those that have an actual passion for high end audio. Typically I will interview the first person that I meet in a new store, access his knowledge and biases. If he is a trainee, I’ll figure out who the person with knowledge is. If it is a snobby place that just pushes expensive boxes, then I’ll listen to their systems, learn what I can, and not come back.
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When I find an real audio shop and I will usually hit it off with the person. We recognize each other for people that have deep knowledge (now, when I was younger... I was serious in learning, not so much knowledge) Typically, it will be the store owner. We exchange ideas and observations. If he is good, I can describe my tastes an interests and he can proactively put together stuff I should like. I have had multiple relationships lasting 20 years or more.

My current audio guy usually takes the afternoon off when he comes over to deliver something. The system we put together for me is also one he likes but can’t always put together in his showroom, so he’ll bring it over something new to my house and we’ll listen to it. He’ll leave it for a week or two if I like.

I think audiophilia, the kind many here subscribe to would be considered by many younger to be elitist and a bit bizarre. It is not very inviting, nor inclusive and feels a bit like a strange club. Younger people these days tend to be more experienced oriented not thing oriented. Sharing your stereo on Instagram is not "cool" to them. Tighter housing also means less opportunity for the volume levels to enjoy.

Elitist: “a person having, thought to have, or professing superior intellect or talent, power, wealth, or membership in the upper echelons of society.”

Generally, audiophilia is a solitary pursuit, we tend to be loners. Certainly I can’t imagine anyone posting a photo of their system on Facebook and most don’t have an Instagram account. I liken us more to the short wave enthusiasts of the 1940’s - 60’s.
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Interesting stereotype though, I’m flattered. My father called me stupid, I got C’s in high school... took seven years to get through college. But went back and got a Masters Degree and worked my way up to Director of Information Technology of large global companies... wow, I’m finally perceived to be  a member of an elite group, cool.

I have found that the under 40 folks just do not get excited about high end audio or the hobby as to many of them they consider it boring to sit down with the purpose of just listening. I have a nephew who is in his late 30’s, and while he likes my set up and thinks it sounds excellent, he is not into all the expense and time it takes to build a system. He does have a 70’s era receiver and turn table, but it’s not his hobby.

As a kid I attribute my fondness to audio growing up in the 70’s with an uncle who had a huge Pioneer receiver, Teac R2R, plus a great turn table all going into a pair of Pioneer HPM 100’s. He played all sorts of music and to me I thought it was the most incredible stereo I had ever heard. Was it really an “audiophile” system? No, but at that time you had to seek out a place that carried the any of the high end brands that we all know. I remember going in a high end dealer with my father just to see what they had. It certainly didn’t look like any of the many stereo shops I had visited in the past. But I also remember the snobby attitude there. 

As far as high end dealers go today, I feel that good dealers offer something for everyone who is wanting to appreciate the finer gear. I live in Atlanta and the two dealers I have purchased most everything from are not in the least snobby and welcome first time buyers . While both places carry some stuff that goes into the 200-300k range, and have rooms set up for those, they also carry a ton of equipment for the folks who aspire to buy what they can afford with the intention of upgrading down the line. The cool thing is a lot of the brands that they offer as entry are still better and different than your average Best Buy, or even the Magnolia boutique. Plus, they are far more knowledgeable than the average salesperson because they are into the hobby as well. The thing I like the most is, they want you to bring in your own album’s & CD’s as well as handing you a iPad with Tidal or Qubuz so you can enjoy your music, not just what super audiophile pressing they are playing to show off the system. 

After the last 12 years since I got into higher end audio, I have to say, had it not been for these great shops, I would of been put off with the hobby as I could never just order a piece of gear on line without hearing it, and I don’t buy because of what reviews say. Great topic BTW. 

@jond As someone who has worked for and with some of the most "reputable" firms out there I have come to the conclusion that there are simply very, very few individuals, let alone dealers, who actually know what they are doing when it comes to this stuff. If you have found someone who does, and they are out there, stick with them and support what they do. However I would humbly suggest it's likely that you've found an individual, and not an entire dealer (unless they happen to be the business owner) that happens to give a crap about what they do, and you've had a good experience as a result.

While I don't think the hobby is completely dead, my experience of the majority of the people involved in making the money and selling the products at the end of the day is that most of them have absolutely no real drive or passion when it comes to exposing more people to high quality music and film playback. I mean I've seen dealers tell manufacturers the reason they're not selling more product is because the manufacturer doesn't advertise enough or have enough reviews in publications. 

And people wonder why young people aren't interested in this category. If that is the attitude you have when you represent product lines that are capable of changing the lives of your clients, you're probably not going to bring in too many new clients or run into any new and challenging situations.