Average age of audiophiles

I will hit the big 5-0 later this year. Send CD's in lieu of flowers.

Dixie High Fidelity Wholesalers sold me my first component system. Anybody remember them? I still have the December 1970 mailorder invoice: Dual 1219 tt with base and dustcover; Shure M91e cartridge; Dynaco PAT4 and Stereo 120 kits; and one pair of Dynaco A25 speakers...$440 new in boxes plus $9.15 UPS.

In 30+ years I've upgraded everything about four times except ol' reliable, the 1219:

Dyna PAT4->SAE MkXXX->SAE P102->Forte F44->Threshold FET ten

Dyna 120->Hafler DH200->Threshold S/300II->Threshold S/350e

Dyna A25->BigAdvent->a/d/s L710->KEF Q90->ProAc Tab2000sig

I'm in my mid-thirties...I discovered high-end audio, TAS and Living Stereos/Mercs/Deccas, etc. when I was around 19 and had a $30k rig by the time i was 23 :) My current system is worth a third of the old one and I now spend far more on concerts, travel, etc. I do know this for sure, if you're in your mid-twenties and have the time and inclination to mess with serious high-end audio, then you're most likely not getting laid enough!

Yeah, Jvia has it right. Chronologically I'm 58 years young, but emotionally I'd say about 15. I've been into music since early teenage years when I started playing guitar(s). But I only got into the "nose in the air high end" about 10 years ago. I love it, and my big rig costs over twice what my 4X4 truck cost;>)

Tim; you have a terrific attitude for a 20 year old-- actually for any age! And I'm really glad to see that young people can know the wonder and value of this sport. Cheers. Craig

Mental or physical?

Yup, I picked up this addiction at the ripe old age of 12 at a local Department store that had a dedicated room for stereo gear. I saved every penny from a paper route (I don't think they even have them anymore) and, at 13, bought a Dual turntable, Ortofon cartridge, Marantz receiver and Ohm speakers. That was 34 years ago. I went on to Mac gear and then some other separates in my late teens and mid twenties.

Now, as twisted as I am, one pair of my interconnects costs more than my entire system did years ago - but I LOVE it as much or more today as I did back then. I was a professional musician along the way so I never lost my love of the music OR my love/appreciation of the gear producing it.

I got into high-fi when I was 15 and am now 20 and have an impressive rig(for someone my age), music collection is growing(what good is a system with no software?), by the time I am in my mid 30's and on I am sure I will have a very impressive system period. Yea but I noticed as well, most everyone here is a lot older, and they don't take me too seriously, but the experience I will have by the time I am 40 will be unimaginable.
Tim

I got the bug at 18, got my first bank loan and spent it all in an hour long spree at the local stereo shop. Got more enjoyment out of that first system...
I'm now 41, and fortunately for my bank, the bug never left....
Mike

The peak of the bell curve on spending more than you probably should for most hobbies seems to be in the mid-30's through 40's age range - I'd guess that's the range for audiophiles as well. I'm sure there are lots of 20-somethings at any given shop, but I have to believe that the majority of people who value high-end sound enough to spend major $$$ are in their 30's and 40's. I've always loved a good system, but it wasn't until a few years ago when age of the kids and income came together in a form that I could pursue a true high-end system, interestingly enough about the time I was getting into my late 30's. -Kirk

I started when I was 10. I took the speakers out of an old tape recorder & installed them in a wood enclosure. I used an amp that I found in an old Record Player. Yes you guessed it! It was all mono. My first stereo system was when I was in High School. I took the electronics & speakers out two abandoned juke boxes. Sounded Great for that time. I have been doing this hobby for about 45 years. Guess that puts me about 55 as of this May. I have met many nice people & made lots of friends along the way.

Good Thread,

Good Listening

I got into Audio at age 18, however currently I'm a young 48 :-)!

I got into it about four years ago when I was 22. I started off with a $1K system and thought it was great. Now I have one that's over $15K (2 channel only) and that's with being frugal.

I discovered high end audio at 50, two years ago.