High End Audio Equipment, Status Symbol?

Any labeling of those here with highend systems as status seekers is inappropriate at best. I could put together a fantastic looking rather inexpensive system show to my friends and they would ohh and ahh all over the place. The vast majority of the people I know don't have a clue. They are more impressed with my overloading bass and don't even realize its a problem. Only a small number of my friends who are in the business really understand my system and nothing I have is truly good enough because someone always comes out with a better power cable or I should cryo my already custom outlets. I think we get caught up in this stuff and it becomes an obsession or passion or whatever.

I agree completely with Ksales---This isn't about status. It's about great sounding music. It is definately fun to get new gear, but only in so far as its ability to improve sound. Very few people see my system, and would likely be unimpressed by just looking at it. I love to sit back with my wife and just listen! For me, this is a very private hobby that a lot people wouldn't understand.

A status symbol (money status) in the general definition of the term (i.e. many other people see and realize the cost) I would have to say no. A status symbol in the eyes of the audiophile that owns it? Probably yes, especially if you are talking to another audiophile who also enjoys the equipment side of things.