Not even close. Musicophile all the way. Typical visit at a classical (or perhaps jazz) record store lasts anywhere between 3-6 hours, a couple of occasions, longer. I listened to most of these on a pair of Realistic (Radio Shack) bookshelves for 15 years before my Summits. I guess I am a bit different as a trained musician. My high school dream was to be close enough, and have enough money, to have season tickets to major concert halls. Never happened. I was the type of kid who would go see free afternoon rehearsals at Carnegie and Lincoln Center when in NY, in order to hear what the goals off the ensemble were, besides being free for me. I've given up music as a profession (taught in France for two years as well), and have started a small business in the medical field. So, I recently blew a ton of money to spoil myself, precisely for the music's sake, and to refill the "inspiration tank" for a while, before I may start on another program or project.
I do get irked on a few occasions by some pretentious gear-heads, DIY-ers, EE's, who think they know music because they can recite an overtone series from a book. But, this is generally pretty rare. In my opinion, it shouldn't be any other way- its always about the music.
However, I understand some people may enjoy working on a custom car more than driving it. Does anyone enjoy calibrating a tv more than enjoying their favorite movie? Maybe some people enjoy recording music more than performing it, though I have never met such a person. Some instrument makers cannot play what they make, but those that do still enjoy playing more than building- always, no exceptions in my experience.
Last night, I listened for a good stretch of time at my friend's place. We listened mostly to Dylan and Baez. He composes a lot of music, anything from folk songs, to common-practice period vocal works, to acerbic atonal chamber music. He also plays guitar, piano, voice, banjo, lap steel, jaw harp, wash tub bass, tri-cones/single-cone, mandolin, harmonica, you-name-it, all at least at a good level, some at a great level. Well, I told him he could vastly improve his piece-of-crap speakers' imaging and response by pulling the speakers out, raising them to ear level (or getting stands), or moving them apart some more. He could not have cared any less. Not necessary that the gearophiles have it right- well, I doubt they could discern the modulations and/or key changes, thematic metamorphoses, and any other musical device as well as he could. Something to chew on. Perhaps not a fair comparison.
Don't get my wrong, though. I still love my speakers. They just happen to be a means to an end. Just not the end in of itself.
