is "audiophilia" another form of conspicuous consu

Only if you're rich.

Probably the same type of individuals who initiate superficial and mundane threads.

You know the type mrt.

IMO
YMMV
IME

I meant to add..., my reluctance to disclose my system cost to those not familiar, is my doubt of their understanding. Of course, "WE" do, right? And it goes without saying......, YMMV.

It is a fine line. I think it is fair to say that "pride of ownership" is something many of us share. We are passionate about our music, our systems and proud of what we have assembled with our systems. Fair play.

At what point does pride of ownership become vanity purchases then? Fine line. Clearly crossed when someone massively overpays for something that does not delivery anything close to value for money, but comes with an enormous price tag. But there is a huge space in between...when one of us will say...that is a rare piece worth paying over the odds...and another one of us will say "vanity purchase".

Of course not; now excuse me, my lackey has just finished peeling me another grape.