Onhwy61, I don't believe one has to obsess over the importance of double blind tests and statistical analysis of equipment to be an audiophile. But, in the interest of not arguing the issue, I'll accept that by your standards I may not be an audiophile. Know what? It doesn't matter.
I enjoy listening to music on my system. I think it sounds pretty darn good. I assembled it by discussing components with other audiophiles, reading reviews (and posts), and by purchasing the pieces and listening for myself as I added, subtracted and tweaked the system into its present form. I based no decision solely on cost. If something lower cost sounded better to me, I kept it. If not, I sold it and kept the more expensive gear. But, I never spent a minute blidfolded (although I spent many minutes with my eyes closed) nor did I spend hours pouring over technical measurements...especially when it came to wire. I simply trusted my ears.
I never ignore specs or measurements of electronics or loudspeakers, but I don't consider specs to be the end-all in determining whether to purchase the gear. Further, I don't consider specs to be the end-all in determining what constitutes "audiophile" gear. I have no doubt that there are plenty of mid-fi components that measure substantially better than my VAC amp, and I'm certain my VAC amp has far worse specs than the uber-spec'd digital amps I've auditioned thus far. But, I enjoy the sound of the VAC more. I've never read a single test measurement for any of the modified CD players I've owned, and I'm reasonably certain none are published (post modification). That hasn't stopped me from accepting that they sound better than their stock cousins.
Listening to music and feeling good (or feeling some emotion) isn't just a high priority, it's what it's ALL about as far as I'm concerned. If that's not criteria for entry into the audiophile club, I'll happily not belong.
I enjoy listening to music on my system. I think it sounds pretty darn good. I assembled it by discussing components with other audiophiles, reading reviews (and posts), and by purchasing the pieces and listening for myself as I added, subtracted and tweaked the system into its present form. I based no decision solely on cost. If something lower cost sounded better to me, I kept it. If not, I sold it and kept the more expensive gear. But, I never spent a minute blidfolded (although I spent many minutes with my eyes closed) nor did I spend hours pouring over technical measurements...especially when it came to wire. I simply trusted my ears.
I never ignore specs or measurements of electronics or loudspeakers, but I don't consider specs to be the end-all in determining whether to purchase the gear. Further, I don't consider specs to be the end-all in determining what constitutes "audiophile" gear. I have no doubt that there are plenty of mid-fi components that measure substantially better than my VAC amp, and I'm certain my VAC amp has far worse specs than the uber-spec'd digital amps I've auditioned thus far. But, I enjoy the sound of the VAC more. I've never read a single test measurement for any of the modified CD players I've owned, and I'm reasonably certain none are published (post modification). That hasn't stopped me from accepting that they sound better than their stock cousins.
Listening to music and feeling good (or feeling some emotion) isn't just a high priority, it's what it's ALL about as far as I'm concerned. If that's not criteria for entry into the audiophile club, I'll happily not belong.