Average age of audiophiles


Hi everyone,
I'm curious about the average age of audiophiles. One of the owner of an audio store told me that he has a lot of customers in their mid 20s that buy really high end gear. Personnally, I would think the average age is above 40. I really can't confirm since I'm the I don't know anyody else crazy enough (or passionnate) to get a sound system as expensive as a car...

Also, how old were you when you started this hobby.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm 26 years old. I got interested in this hobby when I was around 17...

Thanks everyone...
lgregoir
Yeah, Jvia has it right. Chronologically I'm 58 years young, but emotionally I'd say about 15. I've been into music since early teenage years when I started playing guitar(s). But I only got into the "nose in the air high end" about 10 years ago. I love it, and my big rig costs over twice what my 4X4 truck cost;>)

Tim; you have a terrific attitude for a 20 year old-- actually for any age! And I'm really glad to see that young people can know the wonder and value of this sport. Cheers. Craig
I'm in my mid-thirties...I discovered high-end audio, TAS and Living Stereos/Mercs/Deccas, etc. when I was around 19 and had a $30k rig by the time i was 23 :) My current system is worth a third of the old one and I now spend far more on concerts, travel, etc. I do know this for sure, if you're in your mid-twenties and have the time and inclination to mess with serious high-end audio, then you're most likely not getting laid enough!
I will hit the big 5-0 later this year. Send CD's in lieu of flowers.

Dixie High Fidelity Wholesalers sold me my first component system. Anybody remember them? I still have the December 1970 mailorder invoice: Dual 1219 tt with base and dustcover; Shure M91e cartridge; Dynaco PAT4 and Stereo 120 kits; and one pair of Dynaco A25 speakers...$440 new in boxes plus $9.15 UPS.

In 30+ years I've upgraded everything about four times except ol' reliable, the 1219:

Dyna PAT4->SAE MkXXX->SAE P102->Forte F44->Threshold FET ten

Dyna 120->Hafler DH200->Threshold S/300II->Threshold S/350e

Dyna A25->BigAdvent->a/d/s L710->KEF Q90->ProAc Tab2000sig
I got SERIOUSLY bit by the bug a little over two years ago, at age 26. A good friend of mine invited me to the CEDIA convention in Indy, that was all she wrote. My friend introduced me to the owner of a speaker company called Roman Audio. I sat down and listened, really listened, for the first time. Since that time and about $15k later, I find myself always thinking about what to upgrade next or what new little tweak will put me over the top. I love it, but I think my wife is ready to kill me over it. Since I still consider myself new to high-end hifi, I don't know if I can quite consider myself a true audiophile yet.
Craig-Thank you for your kind words, I see what others do here and try to apply the same successful theories to my system usually with good results-what I am trying to say is I blame all of you regulars out there for my system sounding the way it does today. Thanks all!!
Tim