Music lover or audiophile?

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."

Agree with @tostadosunidos 

I've been a music lover all my life and have only at a few points during that lifetime did I have access to hi-fi. I'm pretty well versed in rock and roll as well as the blues. I have a fair understanding and appreciation for classical and opera. Not sure what the criteria are for "music lover" (is there a card, secret handshake, cryptic tattoo?) but I can assure you that I am one.

And here's a dirty little thought. Most of rock and roll is made by four to five musicians, often relying on huge amounts of distortion and volume, yelling screaming and wailing, frequently making marginally engineered recordings and many of us think we need special power cables (fill in the blank for whatever you think other crazy audiophiles do) to enjoy it?

It makes far more sense to be a music lover listening through low end equipment than to claim you need room treatments, special wiring for your home or $50k speakers to be a music lover.

No. Musicians are different. They hear and perform live music every day, they don't need and can't really tolerate hi-fi, I understand that.
Besides, one should not take what I say too literally. I also meant that any music lover should want decent sound too, good enough sound not spectacular.