@n80
Did you read the commonly accepted definitions of Audiophile as defined in the Mirriam-Webster Dictionary and the Cambridge Dictionary? Please try some other web searches to verify.
Now think about your definition and the accepted definitions (not made up by people here). Now who is making up their own definitions and claiming superiority?
And ask yourself which definition is more inclusive. I think inviting people in is ultimately more beneficial to this shared passion and pursuit of ours than excluding, don't you?
Nowhere in my posts have I excluded anyone except in saying that 'music lover' is not a synonym of 'audiophile' (that and that there are a lot of rich idiots out there just looking to add more precious metals to their gear at little or no improvement in listening experience...but i didn't say they were not audiophiles!).
You can be a filthy rich audiophile, have at it (as you are)! But I also think that if you work for it, educate yourself, learn about excellent vintage gear and search out bargains at garage sales, flea markets, Goodwills, Craigslist and eBay and augment if needed with some wise spending new things here and there, you can and should be considered an EQUAL AUDIOPHILE.
You seem to not agree with this. You believe there is an 'entry level' which is not defined in any definition of the word Audiophile. That sounds rather elitist to me. Fascists are against democracy, they lean towards totalitarian leadership and a 'leadership class' or 'race'. The wealthy in our country are becoming increasingly Fascist, so are the very poor. That's plainly evident.
Lets give people who are not you a name. Lets call the less financially flexible person Mr. Budget Audiophile. Is Mr. Budget Audiophiles system going to be as technically proficient as yours, probably not. But could his system sound better in his room than yours would in his room to him, probably. Could he be appreciating in his room, on his diminutive system the same things you are appreciating in you musical cathedral, I think so. Could you put together a better system for Mr. Budget Audiophiles' room if money were no object, of course! But if we follow this line of argument to its logical end, we eventually have to build Mr. Budget Audiophile a new listening room, in a new house and build that house on a floating iceberg in the Arctic Circle and float that house on a bed of air, and make sure all the gear levitates along with Mr. No Longer Budget Audiophile during his listening sessions.
A sense of proportion and perspective is important in the appreciation of anything and having both helps make better people, a better society.
You believe the sheep can't hear the forest for the leaves unless those leaves are made of money.
