What is an audiophile? Are you an audiophile?

An audiophile is a person who has a reference sound for music that represents their most enjoyable listening and attempts to get as close to that reference when reproducing music electronically.  For me, the sound of acoustic instruments and human voice live is my reference. My goal is to come as close to reproducing that sound as possible with equipment I can afford to buy.

Others may have difference reference sounds. That is purely subjective.  The key for an audiophile is the quest for reproducing music that meets that reference.

If I hear a component on my system that makes a noticeable increase in the sound toward my reference, the question I ask is whether the cost of that component justifies the change it will make.  A $5,000 cartridge may make a significant difference in the sound, but is beyond what I am willing to spend to get that difference.