I lately wonder why I’m an Audiophile.

@dayglow A stock take

No harm in asking, but to be honest l have never counted. My estimate which l use for insurance purposes is <2,000 LPs, and >2,000 CDs and SACDs. There is other music items such as Reel to Reel/Cassette tapes and DVD/Blu-ray.

One thing l will add is this is music l still delve into and not material l have moved/grown away from. That has ended up in charity shops or on eBay.

@asvjerry “…my hour glass bottom is very heavy”

l have the same problem.

My ass is getting very heavy, l listen to far too much music, with coffee and biscuits….

One thing is for sure and thinking about all this seriously, can this all indicate subconsciously that l’m very happy with my sound?

@mahler123 “l use the term audiophile…”

Well said sir. If you need to say it go forth gallantly. Man should know his limitations.

@mahgister “…glad to learn l am not alone with an ass bigger than my chair”

l think @asvjerry was referring to his longevity and being nearer to the grim reapers visit, but he may care to confirm one way or the other, if one or both are true.

@mapman ”l never refer to myself being an audiophile”

That’s a great way to think. I generally hate the term audiophile, and the “baggage” you fefer to that can come in tow. It can all sound a little presumptuous. I much prefer to use hi-fi enthusiast or as you have previously posted, a “hi-fi music buff”

To say, “l am an audiophile” can be so self serving and who knows for sure?

One thing l have learnt is there are a lot out there who are sure they are, but after hearing the newest system, the gear is definitely nothing special.

@newbee ”sense of humour”

We English love a sense of ironic humour. Often more when it’s understated.

I have a question on the ironic side…..

If you paid upfront a 15% import tariff, will it be a more forward sound and 15% better?

@mahgister ”hifi” enthusiasm suit(s) me less well…”

For once mahgister l am not in total agreement with you. I believe understanding “hi-fi enthusiasm” and the origins of the term is an age thing. I think l am older than you (l presume) as l started on this hobby in 1968. Audiophile was not a term used in the 60s, 70s or 80s as far as l can remember. 
 

Hi-fi enthusiasts were in those early days of stereo hi fidelity were not buying super priced high end products…. They didn’t really exist. Those that bought the best at the time had decent well made mass produced products reasonably priced. People like myself would experiment with the gear they had and would try and tweak the best sound they could out of “what they had”. Trying different cables to the speakers involved simple solutions like solid core copper mains cable is one example. The hi-fi magazines at the time talked about ways to achieve small gains in quality. The  press was more about the electronics (for those gifted in the knowledge) or building your own speakers and maintaining your equipment. Not like today’s magazines that just want their readers to buy more, more, more, and reap in the advertising money.

So l have to disagree with you thinking hifi enthusiasm means spending larger amounts of money over what an “audiophile” does today. Looking at the history of the term hi-fi enthusiast, to me it means more about spending less money and getting the most out of what you have. It also means buying more vintage gear and being satisfied with it, for what it is. Much the same as a car enthusiast that wants to restore a classic car. He makes it the best it can be, keep it up to standard for the age of the vehicle.

Audiophile also implies buying the best you can, maybe like @rvpiano suggested about “obsessive” and more often at fantastic prices?. Of course like yourself you have proven that you can buy cheap and nothing wrong with that. I think that makes you a hi-fi enthusiast. Getting the best out of what you have with little expense is more about enthusiasm than anything else l know.

@slaw After a while it gets boring

l agree about getting to the beetroot of the problem….

It can be like eating salad day in, day out. Not everyone likes lettucepray or coleslaw, but then again, some do.

@mahgister ”Oups!”

Think nothing of it. I am sure @asvjerry is having a great laugh along with this discussion. 
Good to lighten up. Reminds me of “The Joker” line…”Why so serious?”. This forum can get so serious.

@sns  On “ocd” with audiophiles or music lovers.

l am definitely not an audiophile. I know it for sure. I have spent more on my record and CD collections in the last 55 years than l ever have on all my audio equipment. Do l have OCD with music or does that make me a music lover?

One thing for sure is…. I have never found the need to fall in love with my hi-fi equipment.

@dayglow “…does not prove anything.”

l am not an audiophile, that is probably why it is as clear as day to me dayglow.

@rvpiano “98 responses and still counting”

Yes that is an achievement for someone who posts every other week.

Very few discussions on here get to even 100. Most never get high up in the two digits.

@mahgister ”It is comical…”

Yes it is. That’s why l like this site. But surly people can participate without being full blown members of the audiophile club to be on an audio site?

Maybe l am a reluctant audiophile?
 

I don’t think so but l will never know for sure. I just don’t want the medical implied label l suppose.

Perhaps l may qualify without knowing?  Maybe l should have an open day to see if l have the gear for it?  OR  “I just can’t do it. Captain, l do not have the power”

@rvpiano Now 108…. And counting!