Interesting article on audiophiles and audiophilia

It's thought-provoking. It may be meant for non-audiophiles, but it prompts a fair bit of introspection upon this audiophile. My own belief is that we audiophiles at our very core rely on music to alter our sense of the World, just like endurance athletes who must have their "runner's high". We're mentally wired that way-music is like oxygen to us. But on top of that, we're equipment fetishists. Like car buffs who never cease to marvel at the freedom of motorized private transportation of the automobile, but also dwell on the specifics of the physical, we love the physical means-if only we could spend hours washing, waxing, and buffing our gear we would be even happier! But our hobby adds yet another fantastic element horology fans, car buffs, and gun collectors will never have-the element of mystery leant by objectively unexplainable tweaks, cables, and electronic gear that measures poorly but gives sonic nirvana. And on the other hand, I have never heard a car, watch, or gun guy complain about the pricing vs cost of materials-but we do. 

fsonicsmith,
I'm in the business, and believe me, watch enthusiasts complain about prices of timepieces and service plenty, as well as the cost of straps and bracelets.

fsonicsmith,
I'm in the business, and believe me, watch enthusiasts complain about prices of timepieces and service plenty, as well as the cost of straps and bracelets.

REAL watch people? That means Patek Phillipe Vacheron, Jaeger-Lecoultre, IWC, and not just the superficial doctors et al who think Rolex and Tag are the watches to wear. The folks that buy the big time watches don't question the price. Just my humble opinion which you may very well claim to be incorrect. 

True audiophiles are creative artists - the process is more important than the result, the result is an unachievable final part of the process. In other words, process is the result.
As for the fetishism, everyone is that to a degree.

And I think as a population we're not going to be understood by those for whom sound and music are not synesthetic, holistic experiences.

I know that sounds dreadfully elitist, but whenever I'm tempted to invite someone over for a "listening session", I wonder how I would react if a friend or colleague invited me over to watch a movie on his or her new awesome projector, just to see how amazing the picture quality is and how soul-searing the sound and sharpness is. I mean, I really wouldn't care. A movie is a movie, no matter how sharp or hi-rez the picture is.

A while ago I invited a colleague over to listen to artists he and I had in common - Tori Amos, Innocence Mission, Hank Dogs, etc. And tho he appreciated the music, he was ambivalent as to the fidelity of that music. Tori on his Best Buy stereo at home was just as fulfilling as Tori on my reference system.

And there's the rub. As a chromesthete, I've always seen colors and patterns when I hear music and pitches.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromesthesia)

And, in part because of this, music has always been the preferred medium of consumption. I don't care if I never watch tv again or ever see another movie; but I would be bereft if I could never listen to music again.

And this, in part also, defines audiophiles.