Is high end audio to snooty for its own good?

High end audio.  High end wine. High end sports cars.  High end fill in the blank.

In all cases, buying from the "high end" of the market will involve a fair bit of snob appeal.  Some people drive Ferraris because they track them, some because they're beautiful cars, some because they feel good behind the wheel, and some because they like to drive around in a rolling sign advertising their liquid net worth.  Without a shred of supporting data, I'd guess that the percentages are probably more similar than different across the categories I mentioned above.

Yeah, they're all probably a bit snootier than I'd prefer, but they're probably just snooty enough for their own good.  That is, snooty enough to maximize the dollars.  Remember, for every ten regular folks turned off by the air of superiority, all you need is one billionaire to go all-in.

I've noticed that occasionally someone unnecessarily works into a comment the name/brand of some piece of equipment they own and I've wondered about it.  I think it's more that they really love the piece than it is flaunting it.  I'm not sure it has to do with the value of the thing, but maybe it does.  I've been hanging around here more than ten years and haven't experienced a lot snootiness.
I listen to a lot of different styles of music and so do a lot of others here.  Some listen to one or just a few styles.  If that happens to be classical it might come off stuffy sounding but I think it may be more in the ear of the beholder rather than the attitude or intent of the person in question.  I have to say the pursuit of accurate reproduction of a particular style of music has made a difference in my quest for audio excellence.  When I was young I boosted the bass and treble a lot, with high volume, trying to reproduce the sound of a rock band.  Now I want a system that's good for acoustic combo jazz and chamber music, yet I find that same system is also good for rock, etc. as well.  It's been a long journey and I'm still learning, largely from the folks here.

Not filled w/ snooty people, but, it is laden w/ "flakes".
Keep me posted & Happy Listening!

I would come to Newport with my jazz and blues and they would play it.  I wouldn't bring my rap CDs.  They are for my enjoyment.  I don't seek the approval of others to enjoy what I enjoy.  It's for me.  Not to fit in.   I listen to opera, classical, jazz, hip hop, r&b, blues, rock and pop.  I enjoy the Tord gustaven project (If I'm spelling it right) as much as I enjoy miles and my old school hip hop.  I listen to a Spanish singer Buika even though I don't speak spanish because of the emotion of her voice and the talent of the musicians. I love Dave Holland and Pepe Habichuela "Hands" because I respect the musicians and how well they play.  I don't need the acceptance of a bunch of snooty folks to make me feel refined. Lol. I don't fit into your rap lover thug box I'm so sorry.  I really don't care to fit at all. You should try not fitting.   It's very liberating. 1977 I was a 5 year old kid riding in my grandfathers Cadillac listening to Lightnin Hopkins Blues songs.  Simple hard working factory man and his grandson listening to the blues.  I would never seek the approval of folks who don't matter much to me.  In rap if you have spit a excellent verse of poetry you drop the mike and walk away. Picture that right about NOW! 

Jafant,

You forgot to mention weirdos.