I don’t get it. I don’t get all this theorizing and debate about what to call and how to characterize our hobby. One of the things that my years as a hobbyist has shown me is that some hobbyists seem uncomfortable with the simple fact that this hobby does, in fact and inevitably, contain an element of elitism (look up the definition). NOT exclusion; anyone and everyone is free to pursue the hobby in a way that aspires to be superior (elite) in the end result. Exactly what is wrong with this? Nothing, in my book. Why not embrace the fact that we seek the superior? Another thing that is obvious is that while some knuckleheads do, in fact, assume that high price means high sonic quality, the astute and highly respected reviewers (HP, JGH) and hobbyists don’t and did not; a bargain is usually celebrated.
I like the term “High End” and I find nothing exclusionary in its (😉) meaning. I like it, if any one term must be chosen; certainly more than “High Fidelity”. The term High Fidelity is too broad and too subjective. The term High End connotes or describes the obvious: the upper (high) end of the broader category High Fidelity. As far as the knuckleheads go, I won’t worry about that; they exist in any endeavor.
