I don’t like the term audiophile. Crucially, speech to text never gets it right. Plus, it just sounds pretentious. I simply say that I care about the way sound is reproduced. I don’t even know how we can talk about price. If we bought gear years ago, inflation comes into play. I spent $2,000 on a system in 1981 when I had very little in the way of assets. That’s equivalent to over $6700 today. I haven’t spent anywhere near that amount since. Partly because I still use some of that old equipment. I buy things on sale and often get incredible deals. Plus lots of people buy their gear used. I recently bought a pair of Bowers and Wilkins 705s, the original version. Sold for $1,500 at the time of release which is equivalent in today’s money to $2075. But I bought them for $800. Because the issue of money is so complicated, I just say: fehgetaboutit.
I contrast myself with a friend who is perfectly happy listening to music on her phone or tv. Pays zero attention to how sound is reproduced. Cannot understand why I would consider spending $2,000 on a new integrated amplifier. Her daughter is even adamant about not listening to music on my system. I never use the term audiophile in my conversations with them about sound. Or ever except here.