What do the statistics say about the age of Audiophiles and the replacement rate?

We need to UNITE.  We need to get all of the dying hobbies together so they can mercifully expire together--how about audiophile grade sound for ham radio?

Boy Scouting and ham radio got me into audio. I saw a stereo amp in the Heathkit catalog and thought it would be cool to have my own stereo in my bedroom and not have to ask my Mom if I could play a record on the big console stereo in the living room. My Dad helped me build some cabinets for the 12" coax speakers I paid for with paper route money and amazingly I got a Garrad 55b for Christmas that year. It was glorious, and my interests shifted from ham radio to music, girls, and smoking pot.

When I was a kid entertainment options were more limited. Most of the time we played outside, but if it was raining there was watching TV in the living room with the rest of the family, reading a book, playing piano or guitar, soldering together electronics in the basement, or squirreling off to the bedroom I shared with my brother to play records. In college, status was determined by how big your stereo was (nobody could afford a TV (reception in the dorm sucked anyhow). Computers were the size of washing machines and cost as much as a house (obviously there was no internet). Plenty of girls and pot.

50 years later (I'm 67), and my interests haven't changed much (note: I'm happily married to the love off my life).

I'm so happy I grew up when I did. Kids today have far more distractions (TikTok, video games, iPhones, etc.). They still listen to music, but they consume it different than we did (I mostly hate the new pop music, but all the great music from the past is available at my fingertips). I guess I am officially an old fogey, but for my interests, I am living in the best of times! I can afford whatever audio equipment I desire, listen to anything I want to, and the pot is better than it's ever been!


 

Well, since most of this community stays in its silo, it is no wonder that you A) think highly of yourself and that therefore B) fret about your replacement value.

I have listening sessions once a week, and more than half of my guests are in their late 20s to early 30s. The experience is a revelation for them, and many come back, some regularly.

yes, one wants me to will my system and collection to him but I think that my niece is anxiously waiting for me to keel over. She is at the head of the line. She’s early 20s.

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