Im joking really, im an audiophile myself with a decent hi fi set up that cost a few thousand dollars.
However, there is a subset of audiophiles that completely perplexes me. It just seems to me that at some stage, its no longer audiophilia (love of sound) but rather, some kind of neuroses where you have to control and make whatever you hear ‘pure’ or whatever it is. I worked in a psych ward years ago, and some of the stuff schizoprenics would say (about things being impure and such) echo alot of what I hear obsessive audiophiles say sometimes.
For example, theres audiophiles that would buy stuff like this:
https://www.toys4vip.com/en/luxury-toy/turntable/
A $133,000 turntable hooked up to a power conditioner, just so they can play a vinyl. I mean, this is fucking crazy right?
I agree that audiophiles are an obsessive lot, just like true car enthusiasts, oenophiles, and collectors of everything from Chinese porcelain to high-end watches.
But why is price a component of that? Why would a high price tag signify that there’s something wrong with the buyer’s mental state? Why dislike something just because it’s way out of our budget?
My speakers cost double what my new car did. What of it? Most people won’t understand it but I’d like to imagine that the Redditors in r/audiophile do.
Decades ago, a fellow audiophile told me something I won’t forget. Paraphrasing: “There are people who buy expensive paintings. That’s fine, but you can only look at a million-dollar painting, one picture, so many times. Me, I’d rather take one-tenth of that money and build a stereo system that puts me in touch with virtually all the sonic art that’s ever been created.”
I couldn’t argue with that then, and I still can’t.
And when someone drops $133,000 on a turntable, I won’t judge them even if it’s not my cup of tea (I don’t listen to vinyl, for one thing). I’m happy for them.
On a vaguely related note, I’m an atheist. Consequently, I find zero comfort in religion, but my spirit soars when I hear incredible music, from Bach and Philip Glass to Tool and Rage Against the Machine. Music is my path to knowing greatness. It can inspire awe and bring me to tears. For me, perhaps regrettably, that’s not something that happens with an old transistor radio or a $150 Bluetooth speaker. It requires an investment in exceptional gear, which is also my way of honoring the music and the musicians.
Why would anyone have a problem with that?
Well by virtue of experience most people these days like music but are just naive to the gear. Most people will never hear or even understand the monumental difference between hi fi gear in a treated room and their living room speakers…
I mean do you want to really hear an album?.. or do you just think you do. Maybe you just want the idea of the thing but not the whole enchilada. I mean nice speakers good medium will literally sound like there is an actual full band in your living room.
That being said there is still much quality to be had with other consumer audio products that sing very nicely at any range of volume. your able to hear everything that the song has to offer… that the artist intendded yet!!! It does not sound like there is an actual band performing live in your living room
While I agree completely; there’s the resale value. The painting probably has a better resale value. While the equipment might fetch 40% retail after a couple of years. Unless you scored yourself a very coveted piece that gained value over time, which is rare.
Art collectors are mostly in it for the money; they need to park their funds somewhere. Audiophiles are in it for the experience, and I hope they know it is at a net loss.