Disappointing Evening

'They' will never, ever get it, but really, it is all about the music. Most people who get interested in audio quickly find out it is a solitary pursuit, partner included. and it should be kept that way. I never talk about or show off my gear. It pleases me. The only comment I get connect to the gear is the vast collection of music I have acquired over the last fifty years. I never play any music for those who ask. I do offer to lend them music that they might be interested in. Often that is very much appreciated as it brings out something they fondly remember but no longer have.

As for B&O, I think they do a great service. In my town, population 22,000, we have a B&O store front and two other brick and mortar audio shops. One is hi end and has been in town for over thirty years, the other came into town about two years ago with a business model that bypasses actual equipment demo's, just information. The hi end shop has never been interested in seriously cultivating my business, and that I can understand. We are not a good fit, they are not interested in what I have, only what they can sell to me. I have over the past fifty years spent about $200K on gear, maybe $500K on media. From time to time I drop into the B&O store to listen to their latest stuff, they are always very friendly and have a high customer oriented IQ, which explains why they do so well. B&O is always a very pleasant experience for the many friends I have sent there. Most buy B&O. The few I have sent to the hi end store front always seem to come away buying nothing and remarking how 'cultish' the owners are.

:-) LOL. Am I the only one who thinks you set yourself up?

I never talk about my system with the un-enlightened, and they have to really beg if they ever do mention listening to it. I'm not an evangelist and have no interest in converting anyone. People either get it or they don't. I certainly could care less about their fly fishing rod collection, or their 'vette that comes out of the garage once a year, or the Harley they ride for 5 months of the year, etc.

Since I moved, I no longer have audiophile friends. While listening to music with "golden eared" friends is quite enjoyable, there is a downside. When this hobby becomes an "obsession", it's no longer fun. If you begin to listen to interconnects as opposed to music, you are not having fun. With "audiophile" friends, this will happen. There is no such thing as a "magnificent obsession".

I believe everyone that posted, is best off like they are.

How to be a good host: Find out what your guests like and give it to them.

How to be a good guest: Find out what your hosts like and give it to them.

If one of the above happens, it will be a nice evening.
If both happen, it will be a great evening.

let's face it music is preferred in the background mode by most people. if you had demoes your main system instead of the beo system, i'm confident that your guests would comment favorably about the sound.

for most people, music is not an end in itself, rather it is a means to stimulate some other activity. thus, the quality of the sound is not the issue. it's the fact that there is a "sound" that facilitates pleasure when people are doing something else. music is a catalyst.

only a small proportion of the population are willing to sit for any period of time and listen to music.

i see this occurring in an audio club of which i am a member. attention span is about 10 minutes and then people lose interest.