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EVERYONE THINKS THAT MY SYSTEM SOUNDS DARN GOOD FOR THE PRICE!

You mean audiophiles are allowed to have a social life??? I must have missed that in the magazines. Wow!! Now I'll have a way to spend all that extra time instead of listening to music. Cool. Seriously, though, with a wife and three small children, it's my listening time that I have to squeeze in, not a social life. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The most common reaction is none. It's as if the system is a giant dog turd on the carpet that polite guests would never dream of mentioning.

Who cares? I work hard to enjoy my toys and leisure pursuits. So long as I don't divert money from essential houshold/family things, it's fine. I just built my wife a most fantastic bathroom, a playroom for the kidlet, and a family activity room. That means I have at least $50k's grace before I have to do the tit-for-tat thing again. ; )

Life ain't easy being a Level 4 Biohazard.

Everyone needs a little therapy time. Some find it at a bar, some find it in meditation. I find it in music and movies. That kind of therapy—in moderation, just as everything else should be—is worth the sacrifice of a little social time to me. Balance in life is the key.

The only way this obsession affects me socially is that, in order to build my system, I don't have enough money to spend on being social with my friends. This, however, is totally acceptable.

I say wife, but actually we will not be married until August 7. I just bought a new Linn Ikemi CD player that cost more than her Dad's Bose Lifestyle System 30. I am 26 and my audio system cost more than most of my friends' cars, and is growing. At least she understands my obsession for the absolute sound. If she ever changes her mind, she will have an awful boring life without me.

It always happens as a series of events: 1) WE would NEVER do it, but since YOU do, we'll enjoy it. 2) They ask me to put together a sub-$2000 system for them. 3) They bitch at me that it doesn't sound as good as mine. 4) Ugh. Friends—who needs 'em?!?

Most of our friends and acquaintances(non-obsessed "normal" people) have never heard true high-end stereo. The emotional impact of first hearing music through a top stereo has a startling effect on these people. Friends ask for invitations to come and listen. Sure, there is some envy, just as there is at the extreme end of any hobby, but overall my obsession has brought our friends and family closer together.

If listening to music leads you to become a social outcast or a Pillsbury Doughboy, realign your priorities.

They think it's wonderful and like to share it with me. I love entertaining friends at the house about every other week. It's always fun to chat about the Martin-Logan speakers, 150" widescreen, or the transducers under the seats.

This is a Mini's world, and a person o spends more than

I'm a young guy (23) with a stereo system that definitely costs more than my friends' cars—even if you combine the price of a few of them together. They think I've lost my cookies. Ironically, at the same time my friends think I'm a genius, probably because half of my system is homegrown—if ya can't buy it, build it! If they can't respect it, don't let 'em wipe their feet on your audiophile doormat!

Hope my wallet could keep up with my itch.

First of all, people who don't like music have little place in my life. Even so, almost everyone likes movies. And a good 2-channel high-end system will smoke your basic mass-market home theater system, no matter how many speakers you have. Get 'em over, slap on "Fantasia," and watch their jaws drop.

Well, if you want my honest opinion, I don't really give a shit about what other people think. I don't. Really?!

Unfortunately, I don't know any people who enjoy music the way I do. My family sees it as my hobby and leave me to it.

I'm lucky enough to work in the industry that provides me the most pleasure. I am also lucky to have a wife who supports my habit and a daughter who is always willing to reinforce my beliefs. I am one lucky guy!!!

Not in the US. There is no jealousy here. People keep busy enough themselves. They are not overly interested in what you are doing. They don't socialize that much. It's all business, about how much money you are making. In Europe the picture is different. They have two-hour lunch breaks during which they drink wine and have plenty of time to talk and criticize everything. It's a cafe society. I would keep my stereo hobby a secret over there, specially in Paris. It's not as glamorous as reading. And if you are a member of Brooks's, Boodle's, Buck's, or White's in London, forget it, they'll think you are a retard.

This is a very simple question. If you have friends who are worth your time, you will both share your system with them—which they will appreciate and be impressed by if they are true, enlightened friends—as well as engage in social functions with them. If you are married, then your wife should take priority above all things, although it would certainly be nice if she or he shared your enthusiasm and passion for music and high-end audio. As for me, I have but one or two friends, of whom my brother is the best, and he relishes listening to our favorite music together—it is much better to share a listening session with someone, and invariably one gets more enjoyment from sharing such an experience. However, many people are unlucky enough to have no friends or acquaintances whatsoever, and usually not by choice—they are just unfortunate and lonely. Thus, if they are music lovers, a high-end system to them is a blessing and likely their best friend. It is unfortunate for some people who simply cannot help being alone, and cold, unfeeling statements from certain Stereophile and other audiophile magazines—such as "hie thee to more live concerts" or "get a life" or similar thoughtless quips from published letters—are simply ignorant. Not everybody has the luck to have met a mate, or been blessed with the emotional amd social skills to "have a life." It is not their fault; some people are simply disabled. Thank God their exists a haven for such people, who are either forced to or simply choose to remain isolated; and thank God (and skillful electrical engineers) for the technology to bring as close a semblance to live music as possible into the domiciles of these folks.

If they knew what it really cost, they would think I am mad!

This is great world. High-end gears are wonderful, but it's the music that matters the most. And sometimes you just had to listen live music. But boy I love to listen my Martin-Logan and Threshold gear.

she also enjoy's my system

Let them think what they want. My stereo doesn't care what they think—it just wants to make me happy.

My friends and family can't see why I spend so much time and money on high-end audio. One friend even said it was like an obsession to watch my own home movies! They just don't understand how much I enjoy music.

Okay, I don't personally know any female audiophiles (my wife would say "boys and their toys"). But where is the "My husband thinks I need help" choice?

My wife thinks I have gone beyond obsession with this hobby. Given what gear costs, she may be right.

Do not need a shrink to carry me thru rough times(music plus a great system do the job even better). I am an amateur athlete who plays many sports well and therefore do not worry about opinions but deeds. Deeds I know about as I happen to an Electronics professional and my livelihood depends on problem solving coupled with self-reliance. The audio system I have assembled is for my personal satisfaction only and I do not care about what the creator's opinion of it is! I will spend what is necessary to satisfy my curiousity.

All the best from ROMANIA and good luck! Bogdan