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Give me a better word.

SadSongPilot said:
I don't consider myself an audiophile, and hope I never do. After reading threads about different sounding cables, and expensive power conditioners. And the cherry was the ability to hear an audible difference, and even have a break in period, with an AUDIO RACK! No thanks. I don't want to be lumped in with that group. :screwy:
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Really? I mean, I didn't read the article or post that you read but, do you really find it so hard to believe that an equipment rack could have an effect on, say, the amount of vibration that reaches your turntable? Cause, I know for a fact that my table sounded different depending on what it sat on. In fact, if it wasn't sitting on something that blocked resonance, it was completely UNUSABLE (not just unpleasant, actually unusable) because of the amount of low-frequency energy that builds up in my room. Putting on something like Tool was not an option, unless you wanted to risk blowing something.
 
There's nothing wrong with the word "audiophile". If someone fits into the definition of the word, what's wrong with that?

There are other terms such as "audio enthusiast" but that term defines a broader group of people. For example, an "audiophile" could still be considered as an "audio enthusiast" but an "audio enthusiast" may or may not be an "audiophile". Even "audiophiles" themselves are a broad group of people from those who own entry level systems that cost $1000 to those who own systems costing more than a luxury car or even a small home. I've seen many systems where the price of the cabling is more than my entire system. Are they nuts? Absolutely not. I think people tend to forget that in general, as people make more money throughout their career and life, they adapt their lifestyles and spending habits accordingly.

By definition, an "audiophile" is someone who uses "high end" components at all stages of the music reproduction chain in order to achieve a sound that is as close to the original performance. The only difference of opinion will be what an individual will deem as "high end" and that is for each individual to decide.
 
trhee said:
There's nothing wrong with the word "audiophile". If someone fits into the definition of the word, what's wrong with that?

There are other terms such as "audio enthusiast" but that term defines a broader group of people. For example, an "audiophile" could still be considered as an "audio enthusiast" but an "audio enthusiast" may or may not be an "audiophile". Even "audiophiles" themselves are a broad group of people from those who own entry level systems that cost $1000 to those who own systems costing more than a luxury car or even a small home. I've seen many systems where the price of the cabling is more than my entire system. Are they nuts? Absolutely not. I think people tend to forget that in general, as people make more money throughout their career and life, they adapt their lifestyles and spending habits accordingly.

By definition, an "audiophile" is someone who uses "high end" components at all stages of the music reproduction chain in order to achieve a sound that is as close to the original performance. The only difference of opinion will be what an individual will deem as "high end" and that is for each individual to decide.
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+1 :thmbsp:
 
Why are these ideas so hard to believe? Have you tried these "tweaks" out for yourself? It's one thing to try something in life and discount it. It's another thing to be closed minded.

As for the audio rack, there are two thoughts here:

1. It's well known that controlling components from vibration and resonance is a good thing in audio. Various audio racks are made from differing materials used in varying ways to isolate and reduce as much vibration and resonance as possible.

2. If it's made of wood, I don't discount the idea of a break-in period nor do I discount the idea that change in the type of wood will have varying effects, however subtle they may be. Wood itself is an organic material that changes in composition with age and surrounding environment (temperature/humidity). I also don't discount the idea that different types of wood can have different effects on the gear that's placed on it. Different types of wood have different qualities of composition and their ability to reduce/control vibration and resonance. Even the way wood is cut will change these properties whether it's quarter-sawn, plain-sawn or rift-sawn.

With that said, audio racks do not necessarily have to be expensive. Just take a look at the Ikea Lack and Molger products. Both are excellent audio products and costs less than $50.

SadSongPilot said:
I don't consider myself an audiophile, and hope I never do. After reading threads about different sounding cables, and expensive power conditioners. And the cherry was the ability to hear an audible difference, and even have a break in period, with an AUDIO RACK! No thanks. I don't want to be lumped in with that group. :screwy:
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Why are these ideas so hard to believe? Have you tried these "tweaks" out for yourself?
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In general there is no point in "trying" everything that a salesman pushes, or everything that sounds like it is derived from a sales pitch.

This is a life rule: Life is too short to try everything. The rule applies to religion, politics, medicine, mates and hobbies.

You pay attention to claims if the physical basis is apparent. If the claimant asserts the physical basis can't be measured, it's probably BS.

Vibrations are sometimes bad. Phono cartridges pick up spurious vibrations and they are amplified, so anything you can do to isolate a turntable is probably good (although at some point it probably runs into diminishing returns).

Tubes might be affected by vibrations, but certainly not as much as cartridges. Same for CD players. they could be induced to skip or mistrack.

Solid state gear is virtually immune to vibrations unless mounted on a jackhammer or something.

Just because thousands of people buy water labeled Homeopathic medicine doesn't mean we all have to try it. That's one of the uses of science. To provide generalized guidance as to what is worth paying attention to.

The short answer is that belief is the wrong word. And your question is the wrong question.

The proper question is why is it so hard to provide objective evidence for claims.
 
Music geek. I actually use the word in reference to myself and some friends on occasion.

Audiophile, for better or worse, conjures up somebody who gets giddy when he opens up his mailbox and finds a Mapleshade catalog.:smoke:
 
finnbow said:
Music geek. I actually use the word in reference to myself and some friends on occasion.

Audiophile, for better or worse, conjures up somebody who gets giddy when he opens up his mailbox and finds a Mapleshade catalog.:smoke:
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Or Audio Advisor, Music Direct or even Parts Express. That would be me...
 
Sam Cogley said:
Hi-Fi enthusiast? Music lover?
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I think those are two separate things. Some people love music and don't care what kind of equipment it is played on - that is, they are NOT audiophiles. And some people are really into exotic and quality audio equipment but really don't listen to music much. Those would be "audiophiles". And it is NOT a bad thing.

Heck, there are people that are into exotic cars that can't drive.
 
Words have connotations and over time audiophile has garnered some very negative ones.....snobbery....excessive tinkering and tweaking reducing the chance of enjoying the music.

Audiophile: one who plays music so he or she can find a reason to F%#K with the equipment.
 
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Words only possess the power you give them. If you choose through use to endorse those spurious negative connotations, then you are part and parcel of the corruption. The fact that people who love music and its assorted trappings can, in good conscience, perpetuate this corruption is bewildering and appalling to me.
 
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