Who has the Sickness, the Phile or the Non-phile?


So often I find myself resenting the fact that there are only so many hours to listen to HiFi and I think of those that don't hold this resentment.

I used to think anyone who wasn't obsessive simply lacked exposure, but even though I have introduced many, I have discovered no takers.

At audiophile club meeting it seems to me that the attendees are mostly gear-heads and posers; they say "Ooo & Ahhhh" to anything presented and you can see 1 or 2, maybe 3 in the seats nonchalantly looking over in the direction of the ooo-ers and Ahhh-ers; those few get it. And before anyone is defensive because they know, lashes out that I'm this or that....I don't care. These are obviously my opinions and I'm looking for the opinions of others On The  Question  At  Hand  and not whether or not I am a deluded self important snob.

So, if it is not a lack of exposure, is it a lack of ability?

Surely we are all different, short, tall, smart, obtuse, near sighted, far sighted. Are the ears and or the brains of an audiophile just wired differently than others? Can non audiophiles just not hear what we hear?

Was it childhood exposure that caused this difference in wiring? My father had Altec Voice of the Theater horns and the accompanying gear. Was that it, being exposed to HIFi during brain development? My daughter gets it and boy was she pissed when I sold my VPI TT. I never got along with my father, but was he responsible for my affliction by introducing me to superior sound as an infant?

And, who are the sick ones, the philes or the non-philes?

 

TD

128x128tonydennison

Generalized labels or descriptions are really not very productive.  

Everyone is different.  Just accept that fact, worry about yourself, and avoid the urge to pass judgement on others.   

I think that is good advice not just for a harmless hobby but for the world as a whole.   

First, there is no "war."

Tell that to Virgin Record stores or Sam Goodies, wiped out and a distant memory of nostalgia ... Tell that to the brick and mortar "high end" audio stores, remember those?

You're conflating inevitable change and evolution with "war." They are two different things. Nothing is permanent.

Who won the war you ask?

The changes in the world of two-channel audio make everyone a "winner." It isn't clear why you seem to need to describe a "war" with "winners" and "losers," but you certainly have a flair for drama.

@cleeds

I appreciate the reply, you are an excellent wordsmith and yes, I may have been a bit dramatic :).

Going back to the OP, I believe the "phile" has the sickness because both the demographics and technology of audio reproduction has changed. Investing heavily in a two channel system is a waste when compared to investing in a high end home theater and a smart home. Both the sales data I posted and the link to mixonline data (above Elvis) shows this is the direction that both the consumers and the producers of todays media content are going. 😎

 

Investing heavily in a two channel system is a waste when compared to investing in a high end home theater ...

If you’re going to evaluate those two options as investments, then they are both poor choices because you’re typically buying depreciating assets. From a depreciation standpoint, you might actually fare better with two-channel gear, because some of it does retain its value. In comparison, consumer home theater gear is often rather disposable.

Either way, your claim assumes a preference for home theater, and that’s quite an assumption. Some of us really don’t care much about movies. We’re music people.

... the sales data I posted ... shows this is the direction that both the consumers and the producers of todays media content are going.

They are also going to McDonald's. Who cares?

I dont think that my audio system at 700 bucks is a waste... 😊 In the opposite compared to it , many systems may be a waste...

And i am not sure that i will go with the consumers masses...😁

I dont listen much movies and when i listened them their musical "content" in general with few exceptions is enough for me on my computer...

I dont need an A. I. wired house with one musical system in each room...

Music is more a sacred hour for me in a sacred place than a 24/24 hearing moment in all rooms ...My wife listen only to silence... 😁

Then stereo system + BACCH filters can make obsolete home theater system and music in each rooms at least for me...

When the masses will go to hell, i will go to heaven... I joke here... 😉

 

I appreciate the reply, you are an excellent wordsmith and yes, I may have been a bit dramatic :).

Going back to the OP, I believe the "phile" has the sickness because both the demographics and technology of audio reproduction has changed. Investing heavily in a two channel system is a waste when compared to investing in a high end home theater and a smart home. Both the sales data I posted and the link to mixonline data (above Elvis) shows this is the direction that both the consumers and the producers of todays media content are going. 😎