What do the statistics say about the age of Audiophiles and the replacement rate?

@carlso63

Trains, boats and Planes…..And CARS.

The last one interests me.
Funny you should compare Hi-Fi equipment with classic cars…

l have yet to hear or indeed see a Hi-Fi with wheels

@mylogic  there's some logic behind the comparison as:

 - Classic Car enthusiasts by and large grew up when these vehicles were actually being produced and have memories and experiences with these vehicles; young people who were born after the muscle car heyday have much less interest as they simply don't have any memories or experiences with these things:

 - It was a period of time more conducive to these types of vehicles in terms of lower car prices, lower fuel prices, relaxed emissions standards, etc. Driving for pleasure / relaxation was much more of a thing than it is today, with $3 a gallon gas, etc;

- These types of cars at that time were a little more likely to be seen as something to recreate and get pleasure from, as opposed to simply utilitarian vehicles to get from point A to point B. Many younger people today simply view a car in that utilitarian aspect only - and many have no great desire to even own ANY car at all (hence the rise and popularity of services like Uber)...

Now, change it over to higher end audio products...

 - Audio enthusiasts by and large grew up when component audio equipment was  actually being mass produced and have memories and experiences with this type of equipment, their parents or relatives had it, or they saw it commonly in electronics stores, even department stores;

 - Audio components were most popular in a period of time when people listened to music by buying physical music media and then needing equipment to actually use the media, vs. streaming and apps like Pandora or Spotify today;

 - Good audio equipment was a little more likely to be seen as something to recreate with and get pleasure from, relaxing and listening to music was a bonafide leisure activity, as opposed to today where so many simply use more utilitarian devices such as cellphones and headphones, etc. to listen to music while simultaneously doing other things (working, exercising, etc.)...

See how that works..?

@carlso63

Logic behind the comparison

I totally agree with your A v B formula in part 2 of your reply. I will leave the part 1 cars part carefully parked.

Sorry for the confusion as l was only intending to inject a little humour.
l see your points explicitly and it is similar to the UK description of ‘one man’s junk is another man’s gold’ In regard to the future this will in all likely hood be the reverse for elderly equipment or other collectibles that fall out of vogue.

My record and CD collection is only of value to people today, or in the future that remember and appreciate the artists or recorded material. ‘Too many people are dying’ is a line from a Mike (Moody Blues) Pinder 1970s song, and said recorded treasures may not be highly regarded or even well liked by future prospective buyers. ….Musical tastes change.
The same as future Hi-Fi reproduction (not to mention old equipment that potentially may just give up and die forever) l fear minimalist design will now take us forward. Going is the individual multi branded ‘stereo system’ of the past which are fast being replaced like the old ‘component systems’ you mentioned. The new norm will most likely be ………....streaming and music files/headphones,mobile phones and tablets.

Yes l agree those old 60s and 70s equipment in lock ups will probably die in those lock ups as when your gone….your gone, and your children will probably think it’s junk.

They probably think it’s junk already!

@secretguy maybe like um lack of discernment instead of lack of discrimination. My attempts at bliss ended long ago. I’m autistic. A classically trained pianist with perfect pitch and rhythm. I need my music loud. I don’t listen to pop. Or not much. idk? I don’t listen to anything I don’t enjoy. Going to the symphony as kid informed my ear. So did Greatful Dead shows. But stealing into the blues and jazz clubs while underage was the most informative. Their intimacy and presence fulfilled my sensory needs. Then House music and oh boy. Just allowed my brain and body to go. I’m also a high level athlete coming from professional genetics. Football, basketball, boxing, wrestling, and now dancing! Now truly all my senses were not in pain anymore. The DJs played different sets just like the Jazz guys and you needed a knowledge base to understand and hear it. I built my own equipment as a kid. Listening to the House DJs late into the night over local radio. I understood some principles of sound engineering and read all the books the library had. But eventually I needed a college education and so physics was perfect to stick to my various hobbies. Huge amateur astronomy buff here. Telescopes are easier to purchase with a good job. So I got one. Then I realized I could never build what I could buy in terms of equipment. ATCs set in a near field well dampened studio that I built in my basement. It’s so revealing of everything. I recently upgraded my turntable and love how much better it controls the rhythm. Everything else is almost the same. Slightly better pitch control maybe. Anyway, there are thousands of artists producing more music that I am able to consume. Thank heavens for streaming. Game changer that’s still sending ripples through the audiophile and music industries. And now, bully to my ignorance. Thanks for the wake up call @secretguy, think about the inauthentic version of life I’ve been living. And now, back to the music. Peace yo.