Two Types of Audiophiles? Which one are you?

[DMK]

That's the type that has found the equipment that he wants to go the distance with and, save for an updated phono cartridge, has purchased no "upgrades" in gear over the last several years. Type X takes the money he used to spend on audio gear and, together with the money he already spent on software, spends it on yet more records and CD's. The tiny improvement in performance I used to get with gear upgrades has become the HUGE rush of scoring an original 1960's Blue Note LP or that out of print CD that I've been searching for.

I am at least 98% more satisfied with my audio life now than I was when I was concerning myself with the latest amp or CD player. I am considering a better tonearm but I've lived happily with what I have for so long now, I'm not sure it's worth it.

[Chuck]

That's the type that has found the equipment that he wants to go the distance with and, save for an updated phono cartridge, has purchased no "upgrades" in gear over the last several years. Type X takes the money he used to spend on audio gear and, together with the money he already spent on software, spends it on yet more records and CD's. The tiny improvement in performance I used to get with gear upgrades has become the HUGE rush of scoring an original 1960's Blue Note LP or that out of print CD that I've been searching for.

I am at least 98% more satisfied with my audio life now than I was when I was concerning myself with the latest amp or CD player. I am considering a better tonearm but I've lived happily with what I have for so long now, I'm not sure it's worth it.

DMK, you can count me as one of this group as well. Thanks for defining it so well. I have to wonder if being satisfied precludes one from the audiophile ranks. Perhaps you have to have money burning a hole in your pocket combined with an inability to find lasting satisfaction before you're a real audiophile.

[rb122]

I have to wonder if being satisfied precludes one from the audiophile ranks. Perhaps you have to have money burning a hole in your pocket combined with an inability to find lasting satisfaction before you're a real audiophile.

Good point. The genus "Audiophilus Typicalus" is never truly satisfied with what they own. Or maybe it's just that they love to play around with gear and that's not different from people that collect model trains or cars. If I were being 100% truthful, I'd add a couple of things:

1) I'm an impulse buyer when it comes to CD's and LP's. If I'm out running around and I happen by my favorite shop, I may on a whim decide to stop in where I might drop $200 in 20 minutes. Consequently, I can't afford to be an audiophile! My kids have learned to tolerate dad's quirks IF I buy them each a new CD.

2) If someone offered to trade me a few hundred original Riverside, Blue Note, New Jazz, etc LP's for my equipment, I'd probably do it. That makes me a poor excuse for an audiophile. Yet, I do appreciate good sound. It's just that I've convinced myself that it doesn't get much better than what I already own, be that a true or false statement in acuality.