Why Don't More People Love Audio?

I think this thread has gotten around to the real point that hearing realistic reproduction of music and the thrill of classic performances entails more than bookshelf speakers and a receiver sitting in one corner of your living room.

I started this hobby while in college and stayed low key through graduate school, two kids growing up, many moves, and a wife that went from being a nurse to a top hospital administrator. With the kids gone, she announced that she did not want her living room being a "laboratory." We moved into a house with a big game room, which became my man cave.

Now I have mono blocks, both vinyl and digital quality sources, 200 pound speakers, room treatments, quality cabling, using magnetics, vibration control, thousands of records, cds, scads, etc. I seldom watch anything other than NOVA, some college football and basketball games, a few other PBS programs, and morning news programs while I am either not in the room or engaged in Yoga.

Occasionally, a non-audiophile friend asks to hear my system or I demonstrate it for grandkids. Response is mainly, "it sounds real." And I can see they are ready to move on. In the past my kids while they were young would ask that my music be playing when they went to sleep.

Oh, and I have achieved incredible realism in my music. I'm happy.

they do but not expensive one.

Czarivey, I've been there and know what you are saying, But realism may not be achieved with in expense equipment, but I'm not saying, in the least, that if it is not quite expensive it cannot be good. I've certainly heard many very expensive pieces that I wouldn't pay one tenth of their price to own. One does need some flexibility in what one can afford.

The talk directly above brings to mind a couple of things: Seinfeld. It pretty much reflected where society and culture were at the time, and music was rarely mentioned though movies often were. Of course, the show was about actors. My sisters never listen to music by itself, but they didn't when we were kids, either. The TV is constantly on in their houses though, even when no one is watching it. Makes me crazy---I walk over and turn it off. I even know musicians who don't listen to any music but their own, and then on the crappiest system you can imagine---a boombox! High end to them is the speakers in their computer monitor.

My system is barely high end by most of your standards. But I'm getting there! I've heard the awesome realism in salons, and know what I want! I am an audiophile, after all. But I have friends who come to my house, and we set around and drink while I play my stereo for our enjoyment. They love coming by to hear good music! So I ask, why don't you have a stereo? You make as much as me? Excuses already mentioned, "I've got kids", "the wife wouldn't allow it", "why should I when I can come here once a week?".

I think it's kind of like Radio. They came out with XM and Serious radio, better radio! Digital quality with no commercials! But people just didn't want it, they grew up thinking that music should be free! Or at least cheap. Even I refuse to subscribe, I'm happy with my analog FM tuner that runs for free.

Lots of people do enjoy good stereo! But they just don't love it enough to pay for it. Simple as that. When people ask what I paid for this or that, they always suck wind and whistle, or call me crazy. Even though they go out of their way to come to my house to listen, they wouldn't dream of spending their own money to hear it. I would never spent several thousand dollars to have a painting from a known artist hang in my house, few people would. Kind of the same thing, it's all in a persn's priorities. Few of us find good music important enough to part with the money, regardless of what your system costs. I recall at the salon a pair of B&K mono amps driving some Vandersteens with a Sota table, well under $10K, and it was amazing! Sure there are more expensive systems that sound even better, but it was very competent. I guess we should be happy that there are enough of us to have an industry at all! Recall back in the 50's, hi fi systems were home made! With amps scavenged out of old consoles and plywood horns, steel needles dragging around in lacquer platters, that has grown into quite the industry has it not?