Am I right for this forum?

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.

@roxy54 I wasn't implying you criticized him but I was wondering how he is not an audiophile in your eye or anyone's. And yes I know it's not club or degree, I don't cry because I find myself less of an audiophile than the next guy. If I had 3K, I would spend it much more wisely now than I did (roughly my current system) way back when.

But this is always a subject here, where does an audiophile system starts? I think it's when you are changing it and hearing the difference, and you have a smirk on your face, you are already an audiophile.

Another, the audiophiles system cost more than his car (s).

I am definitely one then, my current (non-existent) car cost zero :)

There is not on one side : music lovers...

And on the other side : audiophiles...

I know because i always were an audiophile but i did not have the money to become one all along my life...( i erroneously thought all my life that it takes money to be one really ) 😁

Then i retired...😊 With 7 day on 7 for my hobby...

Now i begun to learn HOW to create an audiophile system starting with basic synergetical pieces of gear from the ground up...

Then i had to read about acoustics, make experiments and create my own tweaks too... I called this journey : embeddings devices control of the mechanical,electrical and especially acoustical working dimensions...

Then to keep it short:

There is only ignorant audiophile who look at price tags for upgrades and  learning and learned audiophiles  who create their own audiophile realm with acoustics experiments .. We are all music lovers... (Some are more experienced with music of all the earth cultures as i am thats all )

( acoustics with and (s) is a noun not an adjective then do not refer to room acoustic only i modify my speakers with acoustics knowledge not merely with room acoustic experience )

Cost is not a great indicator of sound quality, and sound quality is highly subjective. It sounds like you’ve been around plenty of true high end sound, and know what music sounds like, so you have some advantages that many don’t even realize they don’t possess! Technology continues to improve, but there’s still a great deal of "art" involved with putting together a system....whether we can prove it not, or have a well paid review to back an opinion. My system isn’t modern, fancy, or trendy at all, and I often feel less than worthy in many discussions, but I know it sounds extremely good. (at least by my own standards)

The internet poses some interesting personality dynamics that may or may not correlate in real life. No worries if your online (or real life) personality simply puts you in the category of being quiet, patient, or an unobtrusive human being who’s not used to tooting his own horn publicly. Many folks may not type particularly well, and/or grew up in a much less socially confrontational environment. Many could very well be extremely gifted audio enthusiasts with outstanding systems that have been built over many years, but are simply not comfortable arguing a point online with people that can’t be seen, hear, or read personally, and have no idea of what their audio experience or abilities are. Some people are just more aggressive online, and lean towards being cyber bullies IMHO, especially about audio.

Yes, you belong!