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Why are audiophiles perceived as being wackos?

I have been pursuing this wonderful hobby of high end stereo equipment and music for almost 30 years. I do consider myself a passionate audiophile who loves to listen to music on a daily basis. The reason for this post is because it has been my experience that the great majority of people who do not pursue this hobby think of audiophiles as being wackos/screwballs because of the amount of time, money, and passion they put towards their systems. I find it very interesting that individuals who spend tremendous amounts of money and time pursuing esoteric tastes such as wines, watches, coins, etc, are considered connoisseurs or aficionados with a serious passion that is often respected even if it is not the other person's cup of tea. Another example would be people who love high end cars/boats who read all the magazines, go to the shows and invest large sums of money to purchase and tweak their cars or boats to get the last bit of ultimate performance out of their prized possessions. So I don't believe the negative viewpoint towards passionate audiophiles revolves around the amount of money that they can invest in their equipment. So my question for all you GON members is what would be your explanation for people outside our hobby having such a negative or condescending attitude towards our passion, where they infrequently would not have the same attitude towards other people's hobbies and passionate but unique pursuits? It would be a pleasure to hear about your experiences and what your explanation would be for this phenomena towards our hobby.
teajay

Showing 6 responses by inpepinnovations1e75

inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Still, Joe Gibbs Racing doesn't build the ultimate racing motor any more than Bose makes the ultimate speakers. Using NASCAR as validation of techniques used in making "ultimate engines" is not very convincing. Maybe if BMW used "cyro" techniques on the spark plugs of their F1 racing engines that might have more weight with the skeptics! After all, BMW does make the "Ultimate driving machine".
Salut, Bob P.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
So now NASCAR, the "Bose" of car racing, is used as the standard for engineering of race cars and motors! Frankly, Albert Porter, I thought that you would at least use F1 racing as a standard. If there were any advantages to "cyro" of spark plugs in F1 motors I think that we would have heard about it! NASCAR is Mid-Fi at best.
Salut, Bob P.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Cwlondon, are you saying that most so-called audiophiles are not like all of those wonderful Rolex watch lovers et al. and therefore that is why they are called Wackos?
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
To some, Cryo spark plugs and wires is music to their ears!
BROADEN your listening and music tastes.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Nrchy, I doubt that a NASCAR race driver can experience, as you say, the benefits of "Cryo" treated spark plugs and wires, let alone measure it! It is a common practice in racing to paint something yellow, usually the rear differential because that makes the car go faster. Maybe I should paint my speaker cones yellow and increase the transient response.
Salut, Bob P.
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
No Albert, Eldartford is not wrong about "cryo"'s value in high end audio and it is only your opinion that he is wrong.
Stating that NASCAR uses a certain tecnology does not validate that technology any more than if BOSE embraced monster wire and that was used to validate the use of of that technology. That was my point.
And how did "nationalism" get into this thread?
Salut, Bob P.
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