Are you an Audiophille or a Music Lover No.2 ?

Ben: Kind of a twisted study, IMO, as I constantly purchase software, but am not keen on 2002+ and/or most musical releases done after the mid 80's or so. Today alone I purchased fourteen LP's, eight 78's (and an alpaca blanket:-) and this sort of thing happens many times a week/month for me. I have accumulated over 1000 CD's and 600 LP's in approx. a two year period since getting back into this hobby. That said, I recently had to downgrade my system as I have been off work for two years (today's purchases came to $18 @ a local thrift down the street). If I had to concentrate on "new" releases "only" I would definately stop buying music and beef up the system once again. Also in my case the software is cheap and plentiful which is not the case for most of us. What did I get for $18 (other than the blanket:-)? Well, to name a few: Dakota Staton, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Noel Coward & Mary Martin, Maurice Chevalier, Porgy & Bess (Victrola Historic Series recording), Marilyn Horne, Nana Mouskouri (the Brit concert), Tango Argentino (original cast recording), Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington and a double LP of Russian folk music produced and pressed in Russia, plus others.

As with the other thread, I'd go for the music. While my system and collection are both pretty modest, like Craig I get much more satisfaction from discovery of a new artist or piece of music I enjoy, and get more enjoyment when I lose myself in the music and am not thinking about the reproduction. But I second Muzikat's question, which leads us to take 3 ...

This is a nice philosophical discussion but I am glad I don't have to choose between one or the other. It takes both to be a true audiophile like most of us.

A tougher question, definitely. My big problem is what new format will come along and require me to buy something to play it? If you don't count that as an upgrade (and you shouldn't, Lucifer, as otherwise I'm stuck with the same bargain where I can't get the new releases!), I'm happy enough with the sound of my system, and my ears are getting older anyway, so I'd go with the music. But if you'd give me just a couple more days to think about it, I have a few more cables, tubes and tweaks to pick up......

This question is the toughest of the "series". I had to think about it for awhile. Like most others here I buy music weekly, it is mostly used vinyl with a few CDs. My collection is varied and interesting. I really enjoy the hunt for music more, (only a little more) than the hunt for equipment.
After much consideration I'll keep my system, although modest by a lot of standards here, and continue to buy any music I wish.