Am I right for this forum?
I’ve been an Audiogon member for some years now; I remember (fondly) "millercarbon," for example, which will mean something to some of you. And I’ve been a lover of audio equipment since high school—so, for over 50 years (I graduated in 1973). And yet...more and more, I find myself alienated from this forum, even though I do still read it regularly.
I do have what I consider a very "high-fidelity" system. I’ve written a very long account of my "audio journey," complete with many photos, but not "published" it on this site. I’m also a member of our local audio club, which includes several very well-heeled members who have systems costing more than most homes (one of them owns equipment valued at nearly a million dollars, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg: his system is housed in a separate structure purpose-built for it that cost well over a million). I play cello and guitar; my wife plays piano, my daughter piano and violin. We play those instruments in the same room occupied by my main audio system, and so I can attest to the "fidelity" of that system’s reproduction.
And yet...my system cost me less than $3,000 in total. I don’t lust after any particular "upgrade," even though I read reviews and all the many accounts of improvements in "SQ" documented in this forum.
So...am I an "audiophile," or not? Do I belong here, or not?
I’m listening right now to a wonderful bit of Mozart. I also love Tool. And Christy Moore. And Eva Cassidy. And so many others. I agree with Nietzsche: without music, life would be a mistake. But am I an audiophile? Do I belong on this forum?
Any sympathy here? Anyone else feel alienated from the "audiophile community" despite loving the miracle of audio technology?
By the loose definition that most of us have in our heads, I'd say that you are not what we would consider an audiophile, but I think that is refreshing, and the very reason why you do belong on this forum. You are a music lover, not one who chews their nails in bed at night wondering if they bought the right resistors for their crossovver upgrade. We need more like you to keep us grounded. Don't go anywhere. |
@roxy54 he is way more of an audiophile than I am. He is into the technical aspects, he cares about it and knows more about music than most. |
I beat you... None of my two system in their didicated room cost me more than 1000 bucks...😁 It sound so great i dont need any upgrade... ( all my gear is modified by me especially the speakers and headphone ) I could upgrade ( not a minor change ) from 1000 to 10,000 ... But i dont want to argue with my wife and anyway i dont feel any real lack in S.Q.
Creativity is the real audiophile tag and basic knowledge .... Not gear price tag ... As you know already...😊 Then if you are not at home here nobody can be either ... My only claim to be here is the fact i know how to create one of the best possible system at the lowest price...This was my starting goal... It is enough reason for me... S.Q. is mandatory for me but i listen music 5 hours each day, not my gear which erase itself now behind music... That was my goal at the end... Acoustics science rule audio not price tags...
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You sound like a music lover to me. The definition of an audiophile that I picked up about fifty years ago was someone who is a fanatic to reproduce natural musical sound possible at any cost. It is a disease that results in spending an unbelievable proportion of disposable time and income. Another, the audiophiles system cost more than his car (s). My system has always cost more than the aggregate new cost of my two cars (now two, when young, one). So, no, you are not an audiophile. You are a music lover. You do not have the disease.
Audiophile is about being a fanatic… a bit like having gold fever.
There are lots of other terms like high fi enthusiasts, hobbies. But when it is a major driving force and financial drain… your friends might whisper about “your problem”. You spend the equivalent of six months groceries in a piece of wire “because it makes your system sound better”. You are borderline nuts… that is an audiophile. Your family is thinking about a ten step program and an intervention. You spend an hour on Audiogon forum every day. |
