Music lover or audiophile?

Having nice gear let’s me enjoy the music more. Hearing more of what the players are doing with their instruments makes me feel closer to the performance and to what their intentions were when making it, and nicer gear maximizes that capability. I don’t enjoy listening to the same jazz piece as much through my phone on a plane as I do listening at home though it’s the same great tune! 

Is this a Kill Bill Volume 2 question?

Budd:
So, which "R" you filled with?

Elle Driver:
What?

Budd:
They say the number one killer of old people is retirement. People got a job to do, they tend to live a little bit longer so they can do it. I've always figured that warriors and their enemies share the same relationship. So, now that you're not gonna have to face your enemy no more on the battlefield, which "R" you filled with? Relief or regret?

Elle Driver:
A little bit of both.

Budd:
[bleep]. I'm sure you do feel a little bit of both. But I know damn well that you feel one more than you feel the other. And the question was, which one is it?

Elle Driver:
[pause] Regret.

Selecting which "R" is which, is left as an exercise to the reader...

I have thought a lot about this over the years when, on a recurring basis, you read an article in a hi-fi magazine that says it is "all about the music." It's not. 

I agree with the poster above who said live music is his passion.  It is undoubtedly mine. And that passion extends to classical and popular music.

I am unashamed to say I think the equipment is interesting and fun too. When I was 16 I lied about my age and got a job as a salesman at Dixie Hifi in Indianapolis. I put myself through college and law school working at various stores on the east coast. Those were incredibly happy times for me.I still buy a new piece of used gear about once a year and it always spurs long listening sessions. I have no friends who are into audio but they are amazed by my system.

I play mostly vinyl of rock and Americana music at home because for me it provides a satisfying experience of listening to studio produced albums. It does not provide the thrill of a live symphony nor sitting in a club listening to an amplified acoustic duo.  Unlike hearing live music though, it allows you to be much more aware of lyrics and the art of production values.  For example, Jason Isbell live in concert is a totally different proposition than on record.  I don't want to have to choose just one because both are equally valid and compelling. 

Unlike fast cars, I get the maximum performance out of my system every time I use it.  What else can you say that about? This is a great hobby.

I don't think that those claiming that they are music lovers but not much or at all audiophiles are really music lovers. Music doesn't exist without sound. If something doesn't sound good enough it is not music, it is noise in which one can barely capture the outlines. True music lover must be an audiophile too, there is no other way. Another question is how far you go in pursuit of a great sound even if you have the resources and space. That's personal and debatable. 

inna, I have a friend, a fellow musician/teacher, who does not listen to a system fancier than his computer.  He doesn't get why I spend the money I do on my (rather modest, frankly) system.  He says when he wants to hear music he goes to a concert.  I, on the other hand, listen to my system far more often than I go out to hear music (few artists are worth the trouble to me at this point).  So, different strokes...but my point is that you can't accurately say my friend is not a "true music lover."