The difference between an Audiophile and a Stereophile?

While this question may just be Phylostrabation, I think it does raise a question that many are ambigous about.  

I think an Audiophile is about the sound, the mastering of the recording, the frequency seperation of instriments and clearity of the sound.  The SN ratio, the EQ of the room, the type of music is not the topic of discussion.  A given brand may be admired, and drooled over, but only because the means justifies the end, the sound.

On the other ear, a Stereophile, is likely stimulated by the sound, but possibly more by the jewelry of the equipment.  The philostrabation for a Stereophile is the discussion about the toys, the gear, the looks of the system, possible brand names, the absolute beauty of the rack!  Both types enjoy a good looking rack! but how much will they pay for a given toy, or visual thrill? Can one justify the expense? Does anyone even need to justfy the expense, maybe to their spouse, but otherwise? 

One way we can adress this question is to ask does the blue light of a McIntosh excite you? How about the unity of the components being stacked in a manner that is visually amazing?  The size of a floor speaker? The fame of a name? Don't get me wrong, I will bragg, and enjoy names, I talked to Bob Carver on the phone once. He fixed up his original CD player I sent him for me with new chips so it would track better. That is like an audience with The Pope to some.  As well, I have met and discussed a few things with Doug Dale at Coda and such. 

I first fell in love with Hi Fi in late 70's because of the feel of a smooth volume knob turning up "Hey 19",  But I digress.

To me the sound of Miles Davis doing Bitches Brew song "Miles runs the Vodo" with John Mcglaughin Herbie Hancock, and others is more than amazing, it is life it's self.  Providing the song is flying out of my Legacy Focus 20/20 speakers powered by the Coda 11.5  Class A amp, or better.  While  I'm not lost on the Dark Side of the Moon, but will suggest Steely Dan is quite undeniable.  I will end with, "Kashmir" and just ask, what the hell is better than sound itself?   

As Ravi Shankar said," Nada Brahma".  

gregchick0

The Jelousifier. Wants a system that will impress under any circumstances. It must be cheap, powerful, sound great, be beautiful, and innovative (now or for its time), all at once.

I want state-of-the-art from 20 30 40 years ago and I want it for $20 at the neighborhood good will, in perfect condition (or lovingly restored - without mention - to perfect condition.)

I want the system that other people wish they had when they visit my house. I want something that surprises people! It might look vintage but it won’t SOUND vintage it will sound simply fantastic! If I can assemble it cheaply then the listener will be twice as jealous, as they will have no chance of equaling the performance let alone the price/performance !! To throw money at a problem - where’s the sport in that?

The Decision Relapser- loses track of the times he has said "This is it! I'm done/ I can live with this forever/ My long search is over, this is perfection for me/ Not paying this kind of money", etc., then reads an audio forum or some audio pubs and you guessed it. Back in the game.

How about the tinkerer? Can never leave well enough alone and cannot enjoy what they have.

@gregchick0 Yes Jewelry!!!  I was definitely one of those rotating the volume and source selector knobs in audio stores back then!  There was one store in particular in the Philadelphia area, Stereo Trading Outlet, that was like a museum of high end used gear, a lot of it obscure used pieces.  

BTW....if you think you've got 'problems', or 'issues' about 'power lines'....

https://www.yahoo.com/news/small-plane-caught-power-lines-003000714.html

@erik_squires ..re 11/26 @ 9:10...

Down with your last sentence...👍  Save me a seat nearby... ;)

Samantha Fish is in AVL 1/29, venue entry tix $ is rational for a change.

I'll be the guy with spouse, wearing an obvious 'audio-comment' shirt.

Not branded....just 'typical' of my mind-set. *G*

I'll buy 1st round.

Such a deal....*L*

@erik_squires wrote:

My point in highlighting this listener was that while there are systems that can produce great dynamics, there are also those who exaggerate everything. Imagine a HT system where the subwoofer is so high that a human footstep sounds like a T-Rex. Music in real life never makes me jump. If a system is making me jump on every track it’s probably not realistic.

For some reason it’s also frequently assumed that with large subs it has to mean they’re dialed very "hot" (just like high SPL-capable speakers are often assumed to just play LOUD), and while bass craving cinephiles may be inclined to do so, for my own part that’s not the case. It’s about balance of presentation where large size (and efficiency) of speakers is about scale, ease, bandwidth and a sense of physicality/power of music, and movies. I don’t look for "jump factor" as an effect, but rather what’s relatively unrestricted to and dictated by the source, and for that proper dynamics are vital to my mind.

Of course some of this is a matter of perspective, literally. As a listener at a jazz club I will probably never hear the sound of the reeds vibrating the same way as a player on stage will. Same for drums and cymbals. If you are used to being on the stage your view of normal is going to be different than a listener.

Sure. I usually fuss about finding the proper placement at a concert. Again, it’s about balance; too close and there’s a lack of cohesion, and too far away a shortage of immersion - of course all the while trying to sit as centered as possible. Perhaps I’m a bit of a pedantic in that regard..

There are also systems which always make their presence known. Others that vanish and get out of the way.

Here size is a factor as well. The popular notion is that smaller 2-way "monitors" can be made to make for an effective disappearing act, and they can. Except size and overall fullness and height of presentation, or lack thereof, is a giveaway whether to what degree what’s heard is actually perceived as a reproduction or not. Which is to say: smaller speakers may be able to get out of the way in regards to their own presence as speakers, but the illusion of it being less of a reproduction is still left wanting, at least compared to much bigger (and taller) speakers - to my mind. It would seem there are different ways of "getting out of the way" here.

Personally I am not a musician, my perspective and system choices are for the back of the hall, closer to the bar. 😁

Maybe the fact that I don’t drink alcohol myself, and never really have, has been a deciding factor with regard to my sonic preferences as well 😉

Miss one:

The digital media troller.

I guess I am a Purest. Took a lot of experimenting to get here. 

Those are original Legacy Focus, usually available locally for $2,500.

@grannyring Well, I am a professional husband.  My wife wants for nothing (except more vacations).  She retired 5+ years ago and I made her an offer when we married, she continues her professional work or takes care of our home (cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc., not even financial affairs, repairs car & home, etc).  She chose working.  I do everything now as she has her Toastmasters clubs (5), workout schedule 5 days a week and takes care of her health (a Type 1 diabetic 61 years).  

As to audiophilia, I'm like @charles1dad and keep what works synergistically in my system.  The only major changes in 15 years is my digital front end.   My SME IV, highly modified by Brooks Berdan in 1989 last sold for 4X what i paid for it.  It's a very good arm.  There are better ones, but mine works with most cartridges and my VPI TNT VI table.  Same with amps, preamp, phono pre-amp, all 20 to 22 years old.  I would like to upgrade my speakers but at a cost of 20X my current speakers, Legacy Focus.  I spent my money on my custom listening room so I don't have to concern myself with acoustics (electric feed could be upgraded if I wanted to).  One can view my system.  I get nearly as much enjoyment in my $5,000 living system though.  Some of my audiophile friend's systems are just as enjoyable as mine.so Live and Let Live. 

@larsman I don't know about that statement.  I've made about 200-250 live event recordings at major symphony halls and smaller locations of orchestral, chamber and choral music.  As well as at many other recording sessions.  I know what they sound like up front and 10 rows back.  When I play back those recordings, I'm a Purist.  I'm also a Live and Let Live, whatever makes one happy with their audio choices and resulting sound.  

Thanks erik_squires

Just adding my 2 cents to the conversation , chuckle ha ha  .

Oh and I forgot a "g" when listening to rock

Personally I am not a musician, my perspective and system choices are for the back of the hall, closer to the bar. 

I wanted to make that point, how far you prefer to stand from the band determines your audio choices, I prefer up and away

I like your approach, @vair68robert 

A Purist when listening to classical , jazz and folk

A Dynamic Fanatic when listen to rock

A DIY Penny Pincher looking at moving up all of time 

Dynamics have more or less become the word and trait verboten in hi-fi, because coming down to it most hi-fi systems aren’t capable of delivering anywhere near realistic dynamics,

My point in highlighting this listener was that while there are systems that can produce great dynamics, there are also those who exaggerate everything. Imagine a HT system where the subwoofer is so high that a human footstep sounds like a T-Rex. Music in real life never makes me jump. If a system is making me jump on every track it’s probably not realistic. Of course some of this is a matter of perspective, literally. As a listener at a jazz club I will probably never hear the sound of the reeds vibrating the same way as a player on stage will. Same for drums and cymbals. If you are used to being on the stage your view of normal is going to be different than a listener.

There are also systems which always make their presence known.  Others that vanish and get out of the way.

Personally I am not a musician, my perspective and system choices are for the back of the hall, closer to the bar. 😁

The Dynamics Fanatics

A good stereo is like a thrill ride at a carnival. If I’m not jumping it isn’t worth listening to.

The sad part is that to many an audiophile being presented to a dynamically capable setup (just by the mere look of it or otherwise knowing about the components used) is that they assume it's all there is to it. Dynamics as a "thrill ride" (at a carnival, no less, just to leave out any doubt); something funny, easy to impress, calorie light, entertainment for the masses, etc. Myself I value great dynamics as a vital part of a more authentic presentation (oh wait, there is no attaining "authenticity" in audiophilia and all that jazz, I just forgot - my bad), just as a relatively unrestricted size of presentation, full-range ability, ease, tonality, resolution, coherency and so on. Dynamics have more or less become the word and trait verboten in hi-fi, because coming down to it most hi-fi systems aren't capable of delivering anywhere near realistic dynamics, in fact lack of dynamics has become a habitual mode in domestic sound reproduction, so much so that when being presented to very good dynamics (or the prospect of it is being implied) it's really subtly ridiculed into something being an effect or exaggeration, and one that doesn't sit welcomed in hi-fi "sophisticato." What a shame. Labeling and reductive takeaway is easy and even defensive, but so much is left by its wayside. 

I really think there are only two types of audiophiles.  Those who use music to enjoy their equipment, and those who use equipment to enjoy their music.  I don’t think either is wrong, just different.  Wholly different.   That’s the nice thing about any hobby.  The source and path to said enjoyment belongs solely to the individual. 

I’m a combo Bean Counter, Live & Let Live, and Nostalgic.  My favorite era is the 80’s for audio gear, for that is when I started this journey and that is when I had so many hi end audio magazines and read so many reviews of gear.  I sold audio for a few years in the early 90’s too.

I also love trying out different gear as well, like trying different flavors of ice cream.  I’m more content to keep what I have whenever I own tube gear though.  I enjoy the idea of finding that rare piece that just exceeds my expectations, and that happens quite often.  Rarely do I ever regret a purchase & used gear rules.

Not really a ladder, as I seem to be:

1) A PURIST

and 

2) A BRAND LOYALIST

“Live and Let Live” with “Canner” tendencies 👍🏻

@waytoomuchstuff ...*sigh* 'Typical breakfast bev' is a fruit + tofu smoothie...Spouse Ev feels that smoothies are a food group.

Typical chaser: Coffee, my spirit animal.  Black, like my attitude. 🤨

Late night/early AM 'night creature' bev, anything that creates 'psychic ground'. ;)

Not limited to liquids...

I like your catagories, closer to realities....

B & S in our households includes the Animal Intrusions; 1 dog, 3 cats.

Sunny D. Dog insists you must have something edible for her and will place 60 lbs. underfoot closely to prove it....

She's patient, and will wait.  Has for 14+ years...

Betty D. Boop, Ginger Boi', and Cleo Patra will alternately be drawn and repulsed by you, you stranger you.  Cats that know speaker grilles and cones mark a feline for a moment of terror.

Ergo, an Audiopetophile:  Not your typical audidolt...*L* ;)

Esoteritype (aka Exoteritrope):  May subject guest listener to whatever has caught the ears and attention of late, 'genera obscura'....

Can be nearly anything; Human 'fails' or 'dance moves', loud launches, vehicles with notable exhaust notes (usually of high dB levels), 'music' that barely qualifies the description (sometimes and previously known as 'word jazz')...

DIY Devote':  Has objects that recreate sound; some in a fashion 'pleasing to the ear', some done just for the hell of it because it amuses the muse.

Anyway...Happy Post Thanksgiving y'all.  Stuffed roast duck, cranberrie', riced potatoe', and leftover green beans.  Chocolate heart attack ice cream dessert.

Hope yours was delicious as well.

Stop by for an imbibe when in the locale, may be done here or elsewhere in the area, as this local focal locus is a tad obscure for company....*L*

Have a great weekend, J

@waytoomuchstuff - excellent! And it's a good thing we never see genre narcissists on any of the music threads! 🤣

Not proud, but I guess I'm closest to being a Brand Loyalist.  I tend to first pick the brand for each component, then the price point I can afford.

I'm definitely drinking the wrong breakfast beverage.

I want what @asvjerry is having.

Okay, this sounds like fun.

My Stereo Can Beat Up Your Stereo

All my stuff is bigger, badder, and better looking.  Including me.

The Bait and Switch

You get lured in with the promise of an evening of musical bliss.  Then the subject abruptly changes to laser prostate surgery, politics, and/or his guitar/car/wine collection.

The Genre Narcissist 

The only music that exists are genres he prefers.  All others are completely invisible and/or intellectually and culturally insulting.

The Multitasker

The guy who can critically listen while sumultaneously returning texts, play tug of war with the dog, and use the camera on his phone to check for nosehairs.

Good topic, Erik

THE HOARDER: 4 BASIC AMPLIFIERS, 3 PRE-AMPS, 5 TURNTABLES, 7 SETS OF SPEAKERS, 3 SUBWOOFERS, 4 SACD PLAYERS.

I first spent a fair amount of time reading reviews, studying options, listening to set ups in show rooms, etc. I was intensely focused for a couple of months, like studying for an important final exam. Then I assembled a pretty high end system with a reasonably generous budget, helped by the availability of pricy but nicely-discounted equipment. And lucky me, after it was fully assembled, my system sounded great, just as I hoped.

Next, I listened to a wide variety of my music, grazing and sampling scores of sources. Yup, across the board, my set up continued to hold up.

Now, I don’t think much about equipment at all.

My almost exclusive measure is simple:

Does it sound like the performer is IN THE ROOM?

(Of course, the quality of the recording is very important for optimizing that singular measure of realism).

That said, my sole question now is: DOES IT SOUND LIKE IT’S IN THE ROOM?

If it does, I’m happy. Very happy.

Is there a category for people like me who want just one thing: 

Does it sound like it’s IN THE ROOM?

"Mirror, mirror, on the hook,

whose output stage is about to cook?"

*...the silver backing begins to swirl, slowly forming copy...*

Please refer to the 'magic 8 ball' for further analysis.

Please don't make me look into the mirror...

..spent hours moving spouses’ 2 monitors and stands on her office desk ’to the right a bit’ and unsnarling the cables on Sunday pm...

Today: "The monitors are too close to me...." so it gets undone, taken off the gas stand 2 monitor stand, restored to the original stands of the monitors (which had gotten squirreled away in her office and mistook for the ones of my monitors...similar, but not the same ’fit’...)....

"Use the rawhide hammer..."

Hammer a monitor....yeah, right... 😣

She found hers, finally. Snap, done....

...and wonders why I can get ’cranky’ when I’d like to spend a day re-running lines to my speakers to restore some sense to the non-sense....

...and why I may want to reach through one of my monitors and apply a ’dope slap’ to an innocent....*emoji unavailable*

@erik... catagorize away, you’ve just ’fingerprinted’ the surface.... ;)

I’m in here..somewhere Please join 

"I Am The Walrus"
("Magical Mystery Tour" Version)
 

I am he
As you are he
As you are me
And we are all together

See how they run
Like pigs from a gun
See how they fly
I'm crying

Sitting on a cornflake
Waiting for the van to come
Corporation tee shirt
Stupid bloody Tuesday
Man, you been a naughty boy
You let your face grow long

I am the eggman (Ooh)
They are the eggmen, (Ooh)
I am the walrus
Goo goo g' joob

Mister city p'liceman sitting pretty
Little p'licemen in a row
See how they fly
Like Lucy in the sky
See how they run
I'm crying
I'm crying, I'm crying, I'm crying

Yellow matter custard
Dripping from a dead dog's eye
Crabalocker fishwife pornographic priestess
Boy you been a naughty girl
You let your knickers down

I am the eggman (Ooh)
They are the eggmen (Ooh)
I am the walrus
Goo goo g' joob

Sitting in an English
Garden waiting for the sun
If the sun don't come
You get a tan from standing in the English rain

I am the eggman
They are the eggmen
I am the walrus
Goo goo g' joob g' goo goo g' joob

Expert texpert choking smokers
Don't you think the joker laughs at you?
See how they smile
Like pigs in a sty, see how they snied
I'm crying

Semolina pilchards
Climbing up the Eiffel Tower
Element'ry penguin singing Hare Krishna
Man, you should have seen them kicking Edgar Allan Poe

I am the eggman (Ooh)
They are the eggmen (Ooh)
I am the walrus
Goo goo g' joob
Goo goo g' joob
G' goo goo g' joob
Goo goo g' joob, goo goo g' goo g' goo goo g' joob joob
Joob joob...

@erik_squires Agreed, I think we all are audiophiles, not because we claim to be but simply by enjoying the process. 

Definitely Bean Counter, with a focus on trying to find value that goes well beyond price.  A great deal of the enjoyment in this hobby (for me) is the thrill of the hunt (for value)!

The jewelry types.   Each piece is jewelry, be it a cable, or even a cable end. The blue VU meters to the feel of the volume knob.  I myself found the high-end volume knobs around 1980 felt sexy. 

ME! ME! ME! ME! 🤣

The jewelry types.   Each piece is jewelry, be it a cable, or even a cable end. The blue VU meters to the feel of the volume knob.  I myself found the high-end volume knobs around 1980 felt sexy.  The hi end stereo store of the 80's were like jewelry stores. After all, the prices are the same.

How about the Genghis Kahn, If you don’t like the gear I like,I’ll chase you down and kill you. 

Very good list. Good comments as well. Good thread for sure.

IMO, the largest group of "audiophiles" by far is those who play one in social media, FB audio groups, and audio forums.

Think about the hardest category is Good Enough is Good Enough.

I have touched that state several times and also felt How Could it Get Better?

Then kept discovering the SQ, in fact, getting better… mostly much better.

Inspiring The Endless Search!

@bsmith

Good one.

Can an audiophile be a music lover? Puts music ahead of equipment?

Now we are getting off track.  My list was diverse and inclusive but not meant to be exhaustive.

The last thing I want to do is to make claims about who is or is not an audiophile.  We all are. :)

@gruvjet I believe there is one test for an audiophile. 

You tell him/her: "I bought this cable for $3600"

If his/her eyes light up or just widen in anticipation ("ok, go on, what difference did it make") - he is an audiophile.")

We know all the other non-audiophile reactions

I believe an audiophile is one who can truly discern the difference between and capabilities of amps, speakers, sources and recordings and have the innate ability to create an exceptional listening environment within any budget.  Since I don't have these abilities, I consider myself an Audio Enthusiast... a Dynamics Fanatic Audio Enthusiast !

I am in a different category called "Audio Enthusiast". I don't enough invested in my system to be an Audiophile.

Dynamics, Musicality and involving , and Live like performance...

What does a soul or lack thereof have to do with opinions? That one really confused me

Guess that one wasn't funny!

The Purist...until I morph into The Searcher...

What does a soul or lack thereof have to do with opinions? That one really confused me. A better description of Scientist would be "Let me see the output of that audio analyzer."