are any of your friends audiophiles?

I think of myself as an audio enthusiast, but hesitate to claim the term "audiophile", because
(1) my interest in good-sounding equipment is driven more by a music listening/collecting hobby, and
(2) my gear is more along the lines of Klipsch, Spica, Mac, ARC, Sansui, Rega, Thorens, etc., and no $5k components or dedicated listening rooms or anything of that sort.

I have one friend with similar music-collecting tendencies, and he has discovered the value of some good Marantz equipment and a reconditioned Dual TT. But most of his music listening is still pop CDs played on the world's worst car factory stereo.

Most of my other friends, even those with excellent music taste and decent collections, insist on just playing their iPod through a muddy HT system, and gabbing over the music since there's so little noticeable detail worth paying attention to. At least a lot of them will still go to good live music shows.

I have a friend that lives about 700 miles from me. He got me started in this hobby about 35 years ago. I went into it heavy while he stayed content with his Dynaco and JBLs until about 4 years ago. Now he is putting together a nice system. I have another friend about 15 miles from me that use to be into it now he is losing interest. The rest of my friends, some like my system, a few enjoy listening to it, and the rest could care less. When I first got into this hobby it was much more comfortable talking about it. Back then the difference between the good stuff and bad stuff was not as great as it is today but yet people could hear and admit the difference. Today so many people just don't get it. Some of my relatives are the worse. The comments are very hard to listen to.

what's an audiophile ? no one has ever provided a definition, although the word seems to be ubiquitous on many forms.

the stereotype of an audiophile has some derogatory conotations so it is not surprising that so few people would admit to being one.

I'm extremely fortunate to have many, many friends and acquaintances who are into audio as well as music and would consider themselves audiphiles. How committed? Well, I don't know of more than a couple of them (out of 20-25 or so) who AREN'T into tubes! Lots of DIYers who've taught me a lot.

In addition are the "civilians" -- other friends and neighbors who like to listen to my stuff but have few interests in audiophilia per se. Dave

Saygrr, I share your experiences. I have known many who used to even attend shows who either now have home theaters or just don't listen at all. For at least two it is the decline in their hearing that may explain this.

I have gotten accustomed to my kids and relatives comments. It helps to be getting to an age where one eccentricities are tolerated rather than dismissed.

Mrtennis, I am sure that pedophiles, etc. do not help. Perhaps we should call ourselves audio or music lovers or audio enthusiasts.