about the number of and loss of audiophiles: I guess you need disposable money and time (and some of it is interchangeable) and a lot of those to become one.
Here is an idea, when you are too old to listen to your gear, or not alive enough, give it, sell it to a "developing" audiophile.
If I ever have something worth inheriting and my kids won't care, I will sure find the right "heir"