what is an audiophile ?

You're an audiophile if you have a collection of at least 20 'enhanced' recordings with questionable musical value but sound real nice.

All of us on Audiogon, AA, etc and people who read stereophile, TAS, etc.

An audiophile is someone who loves listening to music so much that he/she will commit discretionary resources to maximize his/her listening experience.

This is positive.

Mrtennis,

Check out the definition of Audiophile @ Wikipedia. It is an arduous read but has some interesting ideas.

Myself, I believe an audiophile is someone who is:

1) obsessed with gear (trying to create a synergistic system with whatever means one has)
and
2) obsessed with music (whatever your interpretation of music is)

If gear = 0 and music = 10, then I would be a 6 or 7 since I place more value on the actual music. Yes, I prefer to listen @ home with my system but I would rather be listening somewhere than not!

based upon what i have experienceed , the term has a negative conotation.

I am guessing you are saying it has a negative connotation in the general population? Maybe. But I think that connotation may be caused by the few who buy gear because it is an expensive showpiece and have no concern about the music. (who in my mind are not Audiophiles anyway!)

i think the term audiophile may have a negative conotation because many who consider themselves audiophiles have hardly any idea what an instrument sounds, are prejudiced in favor of the sound they like, intolerant of the sound they don't like, accept what reviewers and dealers say without listening and are continually buying and selling.

having an assiduous interest in acquiring equipment may not be a problem, as long is there is a goal to create a sound that satisfies one's preferences.

unfortunately, some audiophiles have no idea what type of sound they like.

thus, i would say it is better not to be an audiophile, but rather think, be tolerant and open to all kinds of experiences.