what is an audiophile ?

This could get ugly.

Actaully Throman's description also fits guitarists quite well. (I am one, so I'm allowed to say that). Actually I've always considered it to mean someone who is interested in music and music technology within the consumer audio realm, whether that be stereo, home theater, car audio, or some other niche. The term has some negative connotations in part because it implies a passive hobby, typically associated with the rich, which are always an inviting target. And also because so many audiophiles harbor beliefs, regarding the "special powers" of equipment, that border on lunacy to "normal" folks.

If I were one (what ever it is) I wouldn't admit it - in fact I'd do everything I could to disguise it! Ugh!

I give up. Perhaps a "sonohedonist" would be a better term.

On these forums, audiophiles listen to their equipment while music lovers listen to music. "Audiophiles" might listen to the same few songs over and over because they happen to sound good on their system.

Beware of those that overly critisize audiophiles on these forums as I suspect there are closet-audiophiles lurking among us.

Seriously though, I think we're all part audiophile and all part music lover. Let's face it, we never would have started with this hobby if we didn't love music, and we wouldn't have spend ridiculous amounts of money on our systems if we didn't like the way they sound.

Check out this article.

http://www.stereophile.com/features/78/index.html

I think the article puts everything in perspective, and it might help us all keep a healthy balance.

Jeff