If you were to travel back in time to the 1970’s or 1980’s, seek out hardcore videophiles, and compare our typical video technologies, they’d hang their heads in shame. Our phones have several times the resolution of their big-screen TVs. But if you were to seek out hardcore audiophiles and compare our typical audio technologies, *we’d* hang our heads in shame.
Why? We’ve traded tubes, turntables, and tower speakers, for lossy digital compression, tiny speakers, cheap earbuds, and convenience. Sure, they sound “great for tiny speakers”, but so what? We used to dedicate entire rooms to this stuff. We’d sit with friends and listen to double-albums without – you may not believe this – doing anything else. Depending on your age or experience, you’re either nodding in agreement or you think I’m exaggerating. If you’ve never heard a nice analog system with big-arse speakers, you owe it to yourself to hear how far the norm has come.
Moral of the story: not all progress is progress. Always check your work for regress.
The Elements of Simple 
I regret not bringing Wharfedale Linton speakers when I moved to the US. I certainly know that my phone speaker isn’t able to blow out candles. I was nodding.
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I haven’t been Audiophile due to the costs… but have you looked at what’s become available lately at decent prices out of China?! I thought I was going deaf. Nope, it was just the lossy music formats and cheap headphones. You can get in-ear-monitors with a dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per ear for ~$70. A decent digital audio player that handles lossless files (and low latency wireless connections if you’re into that sort of thing) with an amp for ~$100. There’s even a small tube amp on Amazon for $50 (next purchase). I’m gradually re-ripping all of my CDs to FLAC. 🙂
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