Anyone in this hobby lonely like me and wish they could “hang” with a fellow audiophile?

I’m kind of over that phase of having to mix with other audiophiles. Back in the ’80s and 90s I very much enjoyed friends and acquaintances I’d meet at the Hi-Fi Exchange in Great Neck NY. I can say I’m happily at a point where while it would be nice if that was still the cultural norm of the hobby (Socialization!), I’m okay with my stereo and listening rituals being just for me. I have friends and relatives who are cool and that I like and when they visit they know the stereo is good- I’m always impressed with someone who catches it immediately.

I’d say that’s definitely a good ear and, undoubtedly, a music lover.

Nonetheless, if I drop dead tomorrow, I don’t think there’s anyone in the house who would know how to get the full value of the stereo when the clearance sale begins.

Possibly like my journey to the Great Beyond, I’m at terms with being on this path by myself. G-d knows I probably wouldn’t have done any of that work or spent even half of that money for anyone but myself anyway.

(Insert half serious smiley HERE)

Find a bar in your town that will allow you to set up your system once a month and promote the afternoon - evening. Don't worry that people are tittering away the time in idle talk. You will get some people who are interested in music and systems some of them young dudes that like sound. It could grow into something special.

@canibefrank 

That worked for my friends. See the ​​​​​"Debating starting a music listening club. Questions......." thread.

The gear that I would most like to hear is the really super expensive stuff.  Non audiophiles would put my system in that category, since I spend more on my system than on my car, but you guys know what I mean.  Hearing a similarly priced or lesser priced system is always interesting but I have found comparisons difficult because of all the variables or room effect, unfamiliar components in the chain, etc.

  Those variables would still exist in a million dollar system, but still it’s interesting.

Despite the large number of variables when listening to friends’ systems, it’s sometimes surprisingly easy to hear specific differences. For instance, I once picked up on a more fluid like sound that I found out was due to an upgraded turntable bearing. With a friend who has a similar setup to me, I heard something better, kind of more relaxed than mine which turned out to be due to improved power supplies and mains cables.