tmsoros,

Consider this perespective: audiophile marketing is useless without exposure to "the experience". If a person has never heard a good system, they don't have a need. The real quandry in high end audio is exposure. How does Joe Average experience hi-fi? Most of the time he/she doesn't - that is the real problem. I spend too much money on audio equipment because I was the last of a generation; I sold electronics at a Big Box store and my knowlege was what I used to earn my commission. My curiosity blossomed and I expanded my horizons. Without that exposure, I would have no need for hi-fi. I don't think this is an age question or a means question. Lots of teenagers have expensive bicycles, computers, and even a few still have cars. But most people never hear hi end audio. That's why headphone are touted so heavily in Stereophile - they are the new gateway. YMMV.