2. amps-preamps
  3. 190102-89202

Quandary

I’m really happy with my system. However when a technician, who is also a salesman, came to my house for a stereo repair he complimented my set but said it would sound a lot better if I switched out my Benchmark AHB2 amp (which I think is great) for a Pass 30 wpc class AB amp. He offered to let me hear that amp in my system so that I could decide for myself (at a fee of $300.) The only problem is he doesn’t  have the 30 watt amp in stock but would have to demo the Pass sound with 60 watt monoblocks. He assured  me that with my very efficient GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers the 30 watt amp will almost have the the same quality.

Do you think I can honestly judge how the smaller amp will actually sound? Or should I cancel the demonstration (and save$300?)

128x128rvpiano
larryi
3,993 posts
 

This sort of thing is situational.  If you have been a good customer and they have reason to expect that you would make a purchase if you like it, this would seem like a too high charge.  If the fee were refundable if you make the purchase that is another story.  It might take two people to deliver and set up the amp and they would have to give you a reasonable amount of time to audition.  Their cost might actually be close to this charge.  You might negotiate a lower charge and explain that the lower charge means both you and the store have some skin in the game.

mesch
3,484 posts
 

The demo cost is $300 and not of the amplifier being proposed for your speakers. This when you were not considering a change in amplifier until a salesman suggested it. Not worth it in my opinion. 

If you were interested in trying a Pass amplifier with your speakers I would ask for a demo of an XA-25.  One could bring one home and place into their system on their own,  

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,000 posts
 

@rvpiano 

I say pass on the Pass.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,133 posts
 

In todays world of HiFi and the dying market therein, I would think he’d want to pay you 300 bucks to audition an expensive amplifier.

kykat
48 posts
 

Since they came out to provide service for you and apparently were competent, you may need their services again in the future. I wouldn’t burn the bridge but simply kindly decline their offer. Paying to hear an amp(s) that isn’t the one you would be buying seems a total waste.

 

Now, if in the future they do have the amp you would consider, the $300 question would need to be revisited BUT whatever audition fee you agree on would need to be deducted from the sales price if you buy.
 

As we age and lose some mobility we are forced to rely on others more. It is reasonable to pay for help provided but this one makes zero sense. Bringing you a 70 inch tv to see if you would like to buy a 55 inch one later benefits them a bit ($300 minus labor for their employee, one trip or two?). I don’t think it does anything for you except prime you to pay more than you want (up selling). The  sales manager is probably hoping you would go ahead and buy the monoblocks so you’re doing the right thing in asking for advice. Don’t burn the bridge but don’t trust too much either. 

More to discover