We share the "perfectionist" mindset and aren't ever going to be satisfied, that's why this is an equipment driven hobby. It also implies that we aren't afraid of equipment/technology, that we can hear and appreciate the differences in recordings, performances, and equipment and that finally, we place a high enough priority on the above to spend a fair amount of our income pursuing that perfection.
Add in the love for music and that makes us a very small subset of the population. In another thread I said that I'm a tortured soul (aka audiophile) because of the above items. But most people don't even think twice about them, that's what makes us different. Don't believe me? Just tell one of your civilian friends that you spend $1700 on an interconnect or $8,000 on an amp and watch their reaction . It's not that we have more money either, it's just that it's important enough for us to spend what money we have on the unobtainable pursuit of perfection (we chase the audiophile holy grail). Most people will always settle for mediocre, some will only be happy with a little extra, and still fewer will be "tortured souls," also known as audiophiles.
Add in the love for music and that makes us a very small subset of the population. In another thread I said that I'm a tortured soul (aka audiophile) because of the above items. But most people don't even think twice about them, that's what makes us different. Don't believe me? Just tell one of your civilian friends that you spend $1700 on an interconnect or $8,000 on an amp and watch their reaction . It's not that we have more money either, it's just that it's important enough for us to spend what money we have on the unobtainable pursuit of perfection (we chase the audiophile holy grail). Most people will always settle for mediocre, some will only be happy with a little extra, and still fewer will be "tortured souls," also known as audiophiles.