What is the definition of Audiophile?

[Samuel T Cogley]

14 minutes ago, GUTB said:

 

An audiophile is someone who loves music and who, by extension, seeks greater musical enjoyment.

 

A non-audiophile in this context is someone who may enjoy music but places higher priority in other things (ie, lifestyle and community aspects).

 

What about someone who lives the audiophile lifestyle?  I'll use Michael Fremer as my exemplar for this question.  Your definition above suggests a requisite amount of obsession to be a bona fide audiophile.

 

And to the O.P., there is no "one" definition, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  If you like listening to music, and care what it sounds like, you're an audiophile.

 

[Samuel T Cogley]

At the risk of looking like I'm trying to emulate @Jud, I think we're all audiophiles.

[Samuel T Cogley]

I always think of the many people I know that think even a DAC (any DAC) is a waste of money.  Or anything more than a smartphone to play music is a waste or not worth the money.  I'm pretty sure that almost no one that posts here is in that group, which is why I say we're all audiophiles.

[Samuel T Cogley]

On 12/3/2017 at 4:52 AM, christopher3393 said:

 

What does "Muffy" mean? Seen you use this several times , clearly in derogatory context.

 

Not saying I know what @Ralf11 means, but it reminds me of this classic TV commercial (classic 80s cheese):

 

 

 

[Samuel T Cogley]

7 minutes ago, GUTB said:

 

Not seeking the maximum sound quality is a non-audiophile trait.

 

If you have very limited means and use an Apple TV because that's the best you can do you may still be an audiophile.

 

If you just wanted something cheap to fill a gap while actively dismissing better systems, refusing to even listen to them -- then you're not an audiophile.

 

Why don't you seek higher end sound? 

 

Caring about the sound quality is a universal audiophile trait IMHO.  There is too broad a spectrum of means and subjective assessments of value/frugality in audiophilia to disregard those who don't see the value that you see.

 

As a practical matter, it's generally quite difficult to listen to a five figure+ system if you don't know someone who has one.  In my experience, brick and mortar audio store listening experiences never live up to expectations.