What makes / defines an audiophile ?

Simple! An audiophile is anyone who knows to connect his/her speakers in phase.

My understanding is that "audiophilia" is more about the aquisition of better equipment, which is what most people talk about in these message boards and why 95% of the stuff up for sale/auction is hardware. It is an obsessive-compulsive disorder that can only be cured by: (a) having to sell off parts of your system (including a kidney) because you can't afford to buy food anymore, (b) losing your spouse due to circustances as described in (a), or (c) taking a really cold shower and finally coming to your senses and realize that no hi-fi will ever equal the "real thing" and it's just plain ludicrous to spend another $10k on the next "upgrade" that will squeeze an additional 1-2%out of your system. The difference between a hardcore "audiophile" and a hardcore "music lover" is the audiophile will blow a $10k bonus on a pair of speakers or preamp. The music lover will pick up several hundred CD's or LP's. Both should probably seek help. :)

Dictionary Definitions: audiophile: "A high fidelity audio hobbyist". Audio: "Pertaining to audible sound", -phile: "Indicates one having love or strong affinity or preference for". In sum: one having strong affinity for audible sound. My definition (what an audiophile should be): a lover of realistically reproduced music.

Hifinut604, I have to improve on your (b) : (b) losing your speakers, amps, front end, cables, LP's, CD's to your spouse due to circumstances as described in (a), forcing to start all over again. (It is the loss of equipment that hurts not the spouse).

Arcmania, Ljgj, Hifinut; You guys are great-- I now know where I belong-- and why:-). One addition: a true audiophile also has a closet full of various spare ICs, PCs, cables etc., and a full set of "back-up components", each of which costs more than the average Bears rack system. Cheers. Craig