A first

@rpeluso Here where I am in the panhandle of Florida, a complete void in the audiophile world, it is hard to find anyone that appreciates the sound of good audio system like we discuss on these forums. It’s sad. You may impress a few but when they find out the cost etc…..forget about it. Back to MP3’s. Maybe you made a difference. Good luck. 

I agree, baylinor.  A high percentage of people will never appreciate a fine system or some of the other fine things in life.  And will never be convinced.  So we are by ourselves sometimes.  

Virtue is pretty much its own reward. You'd think the average visitor might find something remarkable in a whole wall of racked metal boxes with lights and switches, flanked by head-high loudspeakers and assorted subwoofers. But the only appreciative visitor in ten years has been my cousin from San Antonio whose husband plays in a blues rock band. She pulled a chair against the wall between the towers, closed her eyes, entered a state of bliss, and vanished from all social activity for two hours. This seems about as much sharing as an audiophile can reasonably hope for. 

I don’t let people listen to my systems.Because truly if you are not into this hobby, it’s very hard to appreciate it.. I did tried to let people listen in the past, they drove me crazy with all the questions they ask me.At the end they concluded it is stupid to spend $100 on ic.

@rpeluso, let me guess! The two friends who came over and love listening to music through their phones & MP3 files are young folk, no?

I had a very similar experience with my grandnephew who listens to everything through his phone & ear buds. He was aware his uncle was/is a music lover and had one of those old folks' stereo systems. Occasionally, he'd try to impress me with his latest music discovery that he thought I'd also enjoy. More often than not, his new discovery was a band from the 60s or early 70s (e.g.  Led Zeppelin; The Byrds; etc.). His parents did the same when they were his age. I always loved the expression on their faces when I'd say something like: "Yeah! I really like those guys! I have a few of their albums in my collection." The first reaction was always disbelief, quickly followed by astonishment, after a bit of a learning lesson about the "new" band.

One day, this grandnephew purchased some new headphones for his phone and told me I just had to listen to them. Of course, they were the latest thing on the market, the absolute best and very expensive (i.e.  80 bucks). I have to say, they actually were pretty impressive. However, he wanted to know how they compared to my home sound system. When I said the new earphones were very impressive but still couldn't hold a candle to his old uncle's stereo system, again, that look of disbelief.

The next time he came to visit, I asked if he'd like to have a listen to his old uncle's stereo system. You know ... that contraption that old folks listen to music on. I made a point of having him sit in the sweet spot, apologized for not having any Rap, and put on some Acoustic Alchemy for him to sample. This time, a look of sheer amazement! His jaw dropped to his chest and, quite uncharacteristically, he was absolutely silent & motionless for about 5 minutes or so, until he uttered "Oh wow!" and then remained silent & motionless for the rest of the album. We had things to do & places to go. So, there wasn't enough time to listen to some of those "new" bands, like Led Zeppelin, The Byrds, etc. Next time he visits, I'll have him look through the collection and pick out something that interests him.