Why do people that are Into rap and hip-hop even want a high-end audio system

Jond, by that term I meant accusing with no real basis, jumping to conclusions--sorry if I was imprecise with the words on that.  I don't know Taters and so I don't know if he's a racist or not--I will certainly give him the benefit of the doubt.  We're on a hi-fi appreciation site talking about music and I don't read racism into anything I read from his remarks (and I've probably read all the posts on all the threads you mention.  Obviously he and Calvinj are passionate about their respective feelings about the music and I like that.  Let's keep the discussion to the music and not get off on tangents or run into areas where the referees have to come in and decide if "defamatory remarks" have been made.  This place is usually civil and that's a breath of fresh air (check out ESPN or Cleveland Plain Dealer sports discussions if you want to see how bad it can get).

@tostadosunidos you are so right.  I knew in the beginning that this conversation would go the way it has and I feel that all of this has taken away from the music. Therefore, I'm not going to continue in this path with this thread.  Great observation. Don't talk. Just listen.  

Racism doesn't explain everything in American Society but its always the first place to look.

I'd put power/money at the top.  The whole slave trade flourished as the thing that made the south viable economically.  Without it the region faltered, to say the least.  Slavery was a means to an end, and that end was the prize.  Slavery is long gone here but business still finds ways to ensure the rich keep getting richer and the poor stay down.

I just had one last comment. The assumption that a rap fan couldn't appreciate a high end system is extremely stereotypical and usually comes from the type of folks that I would consider way beneath me. The kind of folks that I don't even bother to engage in conversation with. It's audiophile snooty at its worst. It's what music is not about. The sad part about it all is that we would never hear each other's system or listen in the same room for various reasons I will not discuss on this thread. So to everyone, enjoy your music. People don't matter who you wouldn't care to have around you or your audio system as long as you enjoy what comes out your speakers. That is all that matters.