Could The Music Room biz model be duplicated? A second TMR?

I'd prefer to have audiophiles sell gear amongst themselves rather than have a middleman.  The items sold by TMR could be a lot cheaper less fees/commission.  In essence, they are selling used gear for a commission. I haven't bought a single product from TMR as I haven't seen a value to date.  I don't think there should be another TMR - one is too many.

To each is own own...

"I don’t think there should be another TMR - one is too many."

I feel a good portion of the audience for the gear sold by the likes of TMR, Sky Fi, and others is very specific and purchasing from real business with real business polices can be comforting. This is especially true as some of the gear does get expensive. Even Audiogon could be considered a middle man as they are directly in-between a seller and a purchaser and will take a percentage of the sale. This is not a bad thing in either case.

The benefit is the store fronts they offer. For example, Sky Fi has a piece of gear I have lusted after for years - a Cello Audio Palette. Very expensive at just shy of 20k and very rare and hard to repair. I would rather work with a business on a purchase like this than just someone who says they have it and will send it out Tuesday and then "poof" they funds and the seller disappear.

Yes - I think there is a very solid place for these business and they seem to offer a wide variety of gear benefiting us all.

TMR is a proven success. So, the odd person here or there who doesn't prefer them is not indicative of whether or not their idea is a good one; they are. Their testing and guarantee of the gear is a huge factor for me, and it's where they more than deserve their cut. Add to that their trial period and their professional shipping... This is why I'm pondering why another one might not be a good idea.

A business in California? Forget it. Why would anyone want to pay for a ridiculously expensive lease on a warehouse full of junk(that's what it is outside of audio nuts) to a constantly shrinking customer base?

Add to that all the administrative/logistical cost to operate such a business, it would definitely be a labor of love and not a profitable one. 

Maybe if you owned the building, somehow you magically acquired a boatload of great used gear and a minimal staff who is knowledgeable and are financially independent, and are there just for the love of audio.

I purchased a  phono cartridge from TMR at a  great price. They have items that catch my attention now and then. You can also negotiate their listing prices too, which on the face is typically high.

I've had very positive dealings with TMR. They were quick to resolve a minor issue with an amp i purchased from them and their pricing (with the expected retail markup) is reasonable, unlike Skifi. Skifi charge "we're close to Manhattan" sky high prices for gear that really isn't all that special. I think their customer base is the type that brags how much they spent with more equalling better.