Compared to you guys I feel normal but compared to everyone else I look crazy

[Taylode]

Frankly, I thought HT was what was going to bring in lots of new blood; however, it seems to appeal a very small minority. I think its amazing that "none" of my non-AA friends are into audio/HT. When I go to there homes if the music at all its coming from an iPod in a cheap docking station. They all like my system but wouldn't ever consider spending even $3000 for audio. Several really enjoy music too and go to numerous concerts.

[harri009]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

, remember, pretty much every interview done with the industry types usually has a point or two about the need for new blood, how to attract others into the fold, etc. While the interaction, discussions, etc on this and other forums is great, if we truly believe of what we speak then by all means 'go forth and be a good disciple' !

Most people don't just dive into the high end. I know I personally listened for years on a pair of big CV's and a hand me down technics receiver. I later bought some emotiva separates and a pair of Energy Veritas. After getting the emotiva's etc I was hooked on quality and started the obsession upward. If someone shows any interest in audio at all I generally lead them straight to emotiva and if they have the space, used magnepan's so their total initial investment won't be more than 2-3k and they will have a pretty decent stereo. I figure they will lead themselves to the higher end.

[MAC10]

Very interesting thread and subject.
Especially during the holidays with family and friends coming over.
Easy way to nip it in the bud is to dump all your non audiophile friends.
But seriously a true friend will always show respect even though they might not agree.
My family thinks I'm a little crazy.
But they are usually very nice about it.
Heck, my wife used to think I was crazy but now she is on my page.
(Thanks Ivan)
I also think the only way to put things in perspective is by letting people know some of the costs incurred having a hobby like this.
Of course I'm very picky who I share that information with.
The good news is that I haven't had to put anymore money into my bottle cap or gun collection in the last 2 years. Lol

[jdandy]

High-end audio is not the only hobby where a person can spend a fair chunk of disposable income and find themselves ridiculed by those who don't approve or can't afford to do the same. One of my uncles used to own and race hydroplane boats. It's not difficult to have a quarter of a million dollars in a big hydroplane, not counting the trailer, the tow vehicle and the annual travel expenses to attend the big races. There are people not far from my home who have homes and aircraft hangers built around the perimeter of a private air strip community and all of them own private aircraft. There are plenty of folks who restore show vehicles and have small to large automobile collections. Add to those the folks who have major watch collections, camera collections, jewelry collections, gun collections, precious coin collections and so on. The bottom line is people will spend money on their personal interests as they see fit and the amount is usually proportional to their personal wealth. How much a person spends on anything is no one else's business. I don't feel the slightest obligation to answer someone's inquiry about how much money I have in my sound systems and I doubt the pilot, auto collector, motorhome traveler, watch collector or photographer feels compelled to reveal that personal information either. I don't recall ever hearing anyone ask my uncle how much money he had in his hydroplane. He wouldn't answer that question anyway, but he would be quick to tell you his boat could do 118 mph on a light chop.

I like sharing my sound system with friends and talking about it's intricacies and performance. It's total value is my business. I usually think someone who asks about how much something I own costs is demonstrating poor manners. I feel no obligation to respond to their rudeness. How I choose to spend money is no one's business unless I make the choice to reveal it on my own. Simple as that.

[Masterlu]

[jdandy]

Ivan........That's probably not that far off.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ivan........That's probably not that far off.

[1KW]

If your overweight, one way to make yourself look thinner is to stand next to someone who is fatter than you . Similarly, one good thing about our audiophile get togethers at Ivan's besides the great commradery, fun of seeing each other, experiencing all the cool new gear and the enjoyment of the get together is that my stereo naturally looks "thinner" to my wife

[redinky]

Then mine would look anorexic............😐

[-E-]

I was about to say... then I'd be downright emaciated.

Any time I am at another party and there is music playing I tend to just ignore it unless the host is cut from the same cloth. If someone brings it up (usually in the conversation of someone calling out my name with "you have GOT to see E's setup, you will be mindblown"), then I will engage a bit, but pricing rarely comes up, especially if they confuse McIntosh with Macintosh.