Audiophiles

I recently read about a self-proclaimed "audiophile" whose audio equipment cost around $300,000.  I have no desire to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on speakers, cables, and turntables, but I am finding that the audiophile hobby sounds interesting and fun.  I also am interested in the purported superior sound of vinyl records.  I haven't listened to a record since I was around six years old, but I would like to hear a record played on a high-end turntable with better-than-average speakers.  I would especially like to listen to a recently released album on both a vinyl record and on a CD, and compare the sounds.  Cool stuff.