I lately wonder why I’m an Audiophile.

I am trying to figure out why anybody would take offense to being labeled an audiophile. I have possibly a looser definition of the term that encompasses so much more than someone just absorbed with buying gear, there is the music and isn't that what is all about. Now being called a pedophile.........   Enjoy the music

About the interesting question of the Op...

A very interesting question as usual from an artist...

I remember the moment where i really became an "audiophile" ...

The spark was set, the seed sowed when i was young ...

But i listened music  in a state of complete ignorance about sound...

 Why ?

Because i had no idea what to buy...

I had no idea what to do to improve what costlier gear i must or may buy, worst i thought that buying costlier gear defined what was an  "audiophile"...

I was interested by music only because music matter the more for sure but by ignorance also  even if i dreamed about a high end system, i could not afford it  anyway...

Audiophile was synonymous of big money...

 I retired from my job, i had plenty of time then with a dedicated room, a low cost system, i begun non stop experiments in acoustics to improve my system...

I became an "audiophile" and realized it has nothing to do with money, but about acoustics knowledge ( Not just room acoustic by the way ) 

Now i am in ecstasy with my low cost speakers and headphones...

All modified and optimized...

 Am i ashamed to be an "audiophile" ?

No, because it is synonymus with acoustic learning nothing else in my mind...

The label stick pejoratively  among people who did not know what to do seeing those who  are able to afford anything and did not need to experiment and learn so much...

I think I remember a thread you posted asking “how competitive you are with your audio system “? I guess my thoughts are why worry about the quality of music so much, or if your system is as good as Fred in Baltimore or any other questions spinning around in your head. Sit down, listen to music and enjoy. Unless of course you’re not an audiophile but a guy with a million questions. I mean audio forums can fulfill that need if anyone has a million audio questions. 

I write these posts for myself and others who struggle with the addiction.