Why Don't More People Love Audio?

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?

I have a friend who was all about McIntosh equipment with a Thorens TT in the 70's. More recently he was fine with a BOSE Wave radio/CD combo that unnerved me to no end. I'm happy to say he's now into high-rez files, headphone amps and 4-figure phones. The prodigal son returns.

Tostadosunidos, it's funny how that works. There was a point not real long ago where I was happy with a cheap Sharp receiver and cdp powering a set of AAL speakers.

Alpha_gt, I know what you mean about people enjoying your music but not enough to get involved. I remember an instance back in the '70s when I had about thirty people sitting on the floor in my living room where the system was and listening to Simon and Garfinkel. Since then it is usually one local guy coming by or several audiophiles from around me in Texas. The former say "wow" and then leave.

Earlier there were no computers, no streaming or even personal systems with ear buds; now there are many entertainment items available. I must say, however, that many I knew long ago were not appreciative of realism in reproducing music. I build a good deal of my original systems using kits, but a pair of Infinity ServoStatic 1s put me on the slope to audiophildum.

Yeah, it's not so appealing to just sit and listen anymore--back in the 70's, this was normal, though. Music on a system was a social event--music and party--sit around and listen. TV was not engaging--didn't look good then, not even with a VHS tape. Hi-def screens at home are an event now. No computers, no cell phones, no texting, no social media back then. Rotary-dial phone on a curly cord--from home. Back then, you went out to see a movie--then it looked good. Music was what you did at home on a regular basis, or call someone on the phone, but you had to sit there. People are more distracted these days--too many options--this even bugs me--I sit and listen to my system, but have my laptop in front of me for FB, etc. Have to fold the screen down to really listen, then it comes up again, etc.