Tips for Auditioning equipment for low or zero expense

Other than making purchases for multiple units from multiple retailers and being responsible for return shipping and potential in transit loss/damages, how are auditions possible without a local brick and mortar?  Thanks.  I run an Ortofon OM40 through a Teccnics 1210GR into a Peachtree Nova 300 integrateds internal phono stage and I want to audition alternative phono pre amps.  Vincent, Rothwell, Ifi, Project, Sutherland and other under $1000 options on my radar.