"Is the whole idea of having a stereo system - a rack with components plus separate speakers, maybe a subwoofer - skipping the younger generation?"
No, I don't think so. I got into this hobby in college and am now 29, and I have some audiophile peers. There will always be young people who have a deep love of listening to music, and for that reason there will always be those who venture down this path to make their music-listening experience better.
The newer gadgets don't necessarily detract from hi-fi. On the contrary they can offer new channels of getting into hi-fi. For me it began with HT and "surround sound", then SACD. For others I know, it was splurging on $80 Grados for their iPods. From there it's a slippery slope.
No, I don't think so. I got into this hobby in college and am now 29, and I have some audiophile peers. There will always be young people who have a deep love of listening to music, and for that reason there will always be those who venture down this path to make their music-listening experience better.
The newer gadgets don't necessarily detract from hi-fi. On the contrary they can offer new channels of getting into hi-fi. For me it began with HT and "surround sound", then SACD. For others I know, it was splurging on $80 Grados for their iPods. From there it's a slippery slope.