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The difference between an Audiophile and a Stereophile?

While this question may just be Phylostrabation, I think it does raise a question that many are ambigous about.  

I think an Audiophile is about the sound, the mastering of the recording, the frequency seperation of instriments and clearity of the sound.  The SN ratio, the EQ of the room, the type of music is not the topic of discussion.  A given brand may be admired, and drooled over, but only because the means justifies the end, the sound.

On the other ear, a Stereophile, is likely stimulated by the sound, but possibly more by the jewelry of the equipment.  The philostrabation for a Stereophile is the discussion about the toys, the gear, the looks of the system, possible brand names, the absolute beauty of the rack!  Both types enjoy a good looking rack! but how much will they pay for a given toy, or visual thrill? Can one justify the expense? Does anyone even need to justfy the expense, maybe to their spouse, but otherwise? 

One way we can adress this question is to ask does the blue light of a McIntosh excite you? How about the unity of the components being stacked in a manner that is visually amazing?  The size of a floor speaker? The fame of a name? Don't get me wrong, I will bragg, and enjoy names, I talked to Bob Carver on the phone once. He fixed up his original CD player I sent him for me with new chips so it would track better. That is like an audience with The Pope to some.  As well, I have met and discussed a few things with Doug Dale at Coda and such. 

I first fell in love with Hi Fi in late 70's because of the feel of a smooth volume knob turning up "Hey 19",  But I digress.

To me the sound of Miles Davis doing Bitches Brew song "Miles runs the Vodo" with John Mcglaughin Herbie Hancock, and others is more than amazing, it is life it's self.  Providing the song is flying out of my Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers powered by the Coda 11.5  Class A amp, or better.  While  I'm not lost on the Dark Side of the Moon, but will suggest Steely Dan is quite undeniable.  I will end with, "Kashmir" and just ask, what the hell is better than sound itself?   

As Ravi Shankar said," Nada Brahma".  

gregchick0

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,469 posts
 

To me Stereophile is a magazine about high end audio.

But I do think the question of what is an audiophile is an interesting one. Often folks claim to be audiophiles but are clearly not. I think audiophiles are folks dedicated to achieving the absolute sound (yes, what that is varies).
 

Often, back in the 80’s definitions centered around one’s priorities. Definitions included “your system cost more than your car.” That has always been true for me.

 

My first loan was for an amplifier… about three times more expensive as my car. This was never intended to be a superficial gauge. It had nothing to do with conspicuous consumption.  It assumed that there were magazines like The Absolute Sound and Stereophile laying all over your house and you spent most of you waking moments listening to music and trying to find ways to improve the sound of your system. This meant your social life was limited, you were probably a geek. Outside of work, audio was your pursuit.

 

We always joked about audiophilia being a disease. It has always been a wonderful  compulsion. My partner of 37 years always jokes about audio dollars being a different currency… the rate of exchange being about 100 times different than regular dollars. I will buy a interconnect for $3,000 with about the same amount of reservation for spending that amount of money as a $30 trinket for the house. The research I would put into the interconnect would be massive… it would not be impulse purchase… but making the investment would be as difficult as something else for $30.

 

There was none of this “spending money to spend money” BS. I might say that part of the reason I was successful in my career was because I just loved chasing the best possible sound. 
 

A real audiophile is not into conspicuous consumption, but into a true passion for the best sounding system… well over towards to fanatic side. For the purpose of enjoyment. I listen to my system about three - four hours a day. There have been about six people outside my partner who have seen / heard my system in the last twenty years. It is for my own personal satisfaction.

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