What's your definition of an audiophile?

Any of the niche or esoteric pursuits have the same characteristics. Think Ansel hauled that large format box around because it was “ gear “ ? Dive in to anything cool, shotguns, working dogs, wine, Weber carbs, optics, fly reels and discover the same world.... the boat is just a tool for killing fish

Some fantastic definitions here.
Best for me:  started off as a music lover.  then...........

Also: Allen Parsons’ quote succinctly sums it up. (See above.)
I’m both at different times an audiophile and music lover.

" Alan Parsons cynically said "Audiophiles don’t use their equipment to listen to music. Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment”. Let me hear your definition "

The better your system gets the harder it is to find really good music to listen to since so much of it is produced for for general public tastes and level of equipment. For me after a certain level is achieved with your gear the problem then becomes finding quality recordings.

If an audiophile can be described as a person who wants a superior, to him, level of sound quality both sides of what Parsons says are integral parts of being one.

Bliss is a good recording played on good equipment and sadly I spend a lot of time on the hunt for good recordings.

My definition:
Audiophiles use music to listen to their equipment.
Music lovers use their equipment to listen to music
This, of course is an overstatement.  You can be both
But it’s very hard.