Disclaimer - My change in opinion does not force me to chastise lovers of vinyl or tube amplifiers or any implementation that is objectively inferior.
The word 'audiophile' is just a word invented by someone and is used to describe a group of people. Some audiophiles hate the word as it includes people they don't identify with.
It is basically the same reason as the whole gender thing. You are something but do not identify with the usual descriptions. They don't want to be put in the classic 'boxes' but want their own box. And a lot more boxes will be needed as not all people are the same and relate to newly invented boxes.
Chastising is of all ages and all 'groups'. Its why wars are there. Not all people go to war and want war.
The same is going on here. Not all ASR people chastise, some don't give a hoot what other like and if it differs from their preference. Some hang on to 'lets formulate correctly', some love science so much they forget humans are involved. Some are open ... no.. lets not go there.
Black and white are not the only colors there are many, many shades of grey.
Furthermore, why do the fringe members of ASR have to bandy together to excommunicate these people who are simply chasing a particular kind of sound that resides in their hearts?
Audio SCIENCE Review. Notice the word science. Also notice the emphasis on measurements. It attracts and deters people. So ASR consists mainly of a group of people drawn to this subject. They usually prefer signal fidelity over personal taste. Get satisfaction/a sense of security that the used gear is not going to stand in the way. They believe (yes believe) that the original music file should be reproduced as closely as possible to the, handed to them, recording.
Usually they take for granted that recordings can be poor and the result will thus be poor. Good recordings will sound good. Most of them also realize that the room and transducers are an important part of that equation and use EQ and or room treatment to achieve that goal, usually in a restricted small optimal listening spot (alas).
This is where they stray from the path of others.
Others may want as much recordings as they can find to sound pleasant. This requires a different approach, different gear, different wallet and the look for something they like.
There is nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Color things every way you want. However, followers of the signal fidelity church will disagree. That should be clear to them.
There's the rub. "Signal fidelity aficionados" and "music enjoyment aficionados" mean something entirely different with the word 'good' and 'poor' based on their religion practiced in their community.
No matter which aficionados enter a different community to preach their belief run the risk of being chastised by convinced people. Regardless of what other folks in that community even think or deem necessary.
A dialog with convincing arguments may well be preferred by most but not supported by all.
Is it not possible that people who grew up with vinyl prefer its flaws?
Possible yes, maybe even likely for whatever reasons they can think of
I can only speak for myself (and some others I know) but I have always hated its flaws and am glad I have a choice to listen to it or not and do not have to force others in agreeing with me.
Technically speaking (I am an electronics engineer) it is extremely clear that signal fidelity is the weakest point of vinyl. The guys claiming 'vinyl' or even 'tape' is 'better' than 'digital' are simply wrong. They are wrong in the eyes of '
signal fidelitists' but not in the eyes of '
enjoymentists'.
The dispute is about the words 'good/better/best' here and what those words define.
Why must you make them feel bad just so that you can feel better about yourself? (mainly the radical fringe community)
The real question is whether it is the intention to make 'other minded folks' to feel bad or whether it is to 'educate' or 'correct' others.
Person A may see this as an opening to a discussion, person B may find it insulting of their 'acquired knowledge', person C may disagree and move on or leave shaking their heads.
You can't please everyone. If one feels offended then realize those are their feelings. Not everyone is out to make others feel bad but indeed some are out there with that sole purpose. This is true for all people on all sides of life.