My interest in audio began at a very young age of 6, when I stayed up listening to am radio hits. Eventually, at 9 I received my first compact record player, spinning 45's and by the age of 11 33's. Although, I always had a great desire for sound quality, it took until my early 20's to discover that audio could come close to replicating the live venue.
Throughout the last 50 years I have personally known maybe 6 people...outside of the audio world...who cared about audio equipment. It has always been on the periphery. All my friends, from high school on, just jammed tunes on their 8-tracks, cassettes, etc.
The explosive pricing for top end equipment appears to be nothing new. Back in the late 80's I was astounded to read of a $7500.00 amplifier. Now, that's on the lower end of the tier.
Personally, I don't see a drop in audiophile interest...it merely seems to exists in the same world of esoterica as always.
Throughout the last 50 years I have personally known maybe 6 people...outside of the audio world...who cared about audio equipment. It has always been on the periphery. All my friends, from high school on, just jammed tunes on their 8-tracks, cassettes, etc.
The explosive pricing for top end equipment appears to be nothing new. Back in the late 80's I was astounded to read of a $7500.00 amplifier. Now, that's on the lower end of the tier.
Personally, I don't see a drop in audiophile interest...it merely seems to exists in the same world of esoterica as always.