High End Audio Equipment, Status Symbol?


I was reading some other forums, about why High end audio is or is not a status symbol. I prefer it not to be or we would be having systems like the one below.

Saleen P-675 Pre-Amp
Saleen A-6500 7 Channel Amplifier
Rolex Venom Type 4 Interconnects
Rolex Diamondback Speaker Cable
Lexus FRS-9000 Electrostatic Loudspeakers
Lexus SS8 Surround Speakers
Lexus CP-8 Center channel
Dachati VVX-9 CD Transport
Aston Martin V-9 DVD/DVD-A/SACD/MP3/CDR/CDRD
Bentley 75' MX-1 Plasma UHDTV (Ultra High Def Tv)
Lockheed Martin DBS-50, 5000w 24in Depthcharge Subwoofer
Audi MS-2004 Master Remote Control System
Northrup Grummann PSS9000 Stage 10 Power Filter/conditioner
audiophanatik
Status symbol? Nope, to little recognition.

Labeling someone a "status seeker" is cynical at best and is usually just a weak attempt to compensate for the "Labelers" inability to obtain the so-called "status symbols."
I think there are probaably people on this board who think so.
Sure is a small sub-culture here, and most of us probably do not have friends in this hobby, but i get the feeling that some people get a real nice feeling when they finally get to enter "Krell" or "Mark Levinson" into thier virtual systems.

Im also sure that there are are people here who gain a sence of validity when they aquire something that is coveted, or expected and not yet owned.

I will be the first to say i use a reciever, and i want to go to a amp/pre-amp setup, however, I have also seen instances here and there (not often) where people look slightly down upon others for having inferior equipment, as if by default, the fact that they might have lesser quality equipment reduces thier credibility, and they must not know much about this.
Or,
the other way, someone with inferior equipment might look up to other folks because they do have the equipment that they desire. And might base thier decisions upon the advise of those who own the nicer stuff, when in all actuallity, they could actually be a overly rich, self richeous pompus idiot, who does not know his ass from a sine wave.

I for example still have the reciever. But due to my profession i understand more about electronics and sound than a good majority of people on this site. (Im not trying to brag, there are plenty of people who know more than me as well)

While i am sure most people here on the 'gon' are only interested in having the quality that comes with it, i still think there is something satisfying about listing some Watt Puppys on the virtual system.

I think in a way, in this own subculture, that certain brand names offer credibility, which can also be considered a status symbol.

I dont see anything wrong with it. But if Norh is as good as it claims, then why do people bother with amplifiers in the sub $2000.00 price range? I think the name sometimes has something to do with it

IMHO, 2C
Any labeling of those here with highend systems as status seekers is inappropriate at best. I could put together a fantastic looking rather inexpensive system show to my friends and they would ohh and ahh all over the place. The vast majority of the people I know don't have a clue. They are more impressed with my overloading bass and don't even realize its a problem. Only a small number of my friends who are in the business really understand my system and nothing I have is truly good enough because someone always comes out with a better power cable or I should cryo my already custom outlets. I think we get caught up in this stuff and it becomes an obsession or passion or whatever.
I agree completely with Ksales---This isn't about status. It's about great sounding music. It is definately fun to get new gear, but only in so far as its ability to improve sound. Very few people see my system, and would likely be unimpressed by just looking at it. I love to sit back with my wife and just listen! For me, this is a very private hobby that a lot people wouldn't understand.