have you ever bought stereo without listening first

That’s what she said. 💃

Hi,
mistakes happen when our knowledge on paper is about average.  
The worst was a pair of B&W 803Matrix replacing TDL Studio 2.
On a Yamaha C-2a i got away easily selling it after a month to a guy who got it without listening! 

"The fact of the matter is high end stores may be accessible in big cities but high end components never are."

What do they sell in high end stores then?

"Is there anyone here lives within driving distance of being able to hear a Raven, Onkk Cue, Schroeder, or Herron?"

For whatever reason, it seems that none of these mentions dealers on their website. If they have no dealers, they are not making it easy to drive to hear them. Is that some marketing bait strategy? Inability to find a dealer willing to represent them? Something else?

Because audio salons can't make money like they used too. In the '80s when I sold high and mid fi retail and bought my stuff there and from similar mom & pop shops (in Cincinnati and Atlanta) their margins were always razor thin. Now non-existent unless you are in a very rich area (which most of us aren't). Even in Nashville, with all that money and music, there used to be dozens until the early/mid 2000s. Now: 2 and both small. 

I heard that amplifier driving the new Vandersteen Kento's at the Audio Connection right before the lockdown. Nick and I listened to vinyl and the system sounded really good. The system was using an Audio Research Preamp and phono stage with a Clearaudio Ovation turntable and the top of the line Hana cartridge. One of the few systems I've heard where the speakers just disappeared. All of the Belles amplifiers I have heard sound great. John wouldn't steer you wrong. Good Luck!