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.

truex14

Lending equipment to a stranger- all risk is on the lender with no leverage to get it back.  Seems the OP is asking someone else to take the risk for his benefit only.

Well, the risk could be mitigated by deposits and virtual handshakes on a case to case basis.  The benefit to a lender could be a sale.  The idea was suggested by someone else and is somewhat fantastical in the current condition of this society as you point out.