Why Don't More People Love Audio?

Thanks Doug, you make me feel all nostalgic. The last time I sat on a bike was deep in the last century. It was a Brits Triumph, 200cc, I think. SIGH.

The question should be Why Do WE Love Audio? It's clear that everyone here has a passion for music, and takes no shortcuts when it comes to musical reproduction. If we allow others to see this passion, and we take the time to educate others, our hobby will grow. To the untrained ear a $200 system sounds as good as a $2000 system. When I first walked into a HiFi retailer, it was very intimidating. All the different components, high prices, and a salesman trying to explain DAC's, transports, and pre-amps, etc.. It took some effort on my part to do my homework and to go and listen to find my own definition of perfect sound. In todays fast paced world, few have the time. I am 22 years old, and a submariner in the navy. By displaying my love for high quality sound at work, I was able to raise an interest with several of my shipmates. We now have a seven speaker NHT home theater on our mess decks. Which now our whole crew enjoys. Since I work in a very stressful environment, nothing relieves that stress better than sitting in front of my system and truely enjoying a CD. I love Audio and am always up for talking about it and helping others learn more about it. Long live the AUDIOPHILE!!!

We share the "perfectionist" mindset and aren't ever going to be satisfied, that's why this is an equipment driven hobby. It also implies that we aren't afraid of equipment/technology, that we can hear and appreciate the differences in recordings, performances, and equipment and that finally, we place a high enough priority on the above to spend a fair amount of our income pursuing that perfection.

Add in the love for music and that makes us a very small subset of the population. In another thread I said that I'm a tortured soul (aka audiophile) because of the above items. But most people don't even think twice about them, that's what makes us different. Don't believe me? Just tell one of your civilian friends that you spend $1700 on an interconnect or $8,000 on an amp and watch their reaction . It's not that we have more money either, it's just that it's important enough for us to spend what money we have on the unobtainable pursuit of perfection (we chase the audiophile holy grail). Most people will always settle for mediocre, some will only be happy with a little extra, and still fewer will be "tortured souls," also known as audiophiles.

A splendid analysis, Wehamilton. How come you know me so well?!!

Limabean, my hat's off to you and your shipmates. Installing an audiophile system onboard a nuke is a 5.0 degree of difficulty- talk about tricky room acoustics! Hell, my hat's off to you guys everyday, anyway just for being there. At least now you have some good tunes to help with the tedium. I'm listening to Miles Davis right now and dedicating it to you and your shipmates. Hey, do you think the Russian submariners can hear your system too? They're probably happy to have some decent music for a change!

Detlof, from senior year in high school to senior year in college I had four completely different stereo systems even though I was a dirt poor student. That should have been a sign to my parents or someone, but it went undiagnosed (psychology wasn't as advanced back then). As a result I continue to suffer with no hope for a cure! Glad to know there are fellow travelers at least. Just think by the time we finally get our systems right our hearing will be shot. I sure hope the old folks home doesn't have a Bose system! Best regards to all.