Would you trust a local dealer to help you put

After 40 years I now know that speakers only let you know what your amp sounds like. In a 10K system I'd spend at least half on amp.

If I had any sense I'd buy a Rega Brio-R intergated,Rega Apollo CD and a pr of Rega RS3 speaker with DNM Reson wire
for about 3k and be done with it.
Thats at least 85% of whats possible and thats from someone
who has spent at leasr 150K over the years.

Tennis- I think you meant 'can't.'
Schubert- yes, there is something appealing about that, including the idea
of an integrated amp today when, 20 years ago, it would likely have been a
compromise. I suspect though, that you are only at the point where you are
now, having been through the thoroughbred stuff. It's sort of like seeing the
appeal of a Dino 246- not a macho car, but after you've had your share of
those, you get the idea of its beauty and its limitations are far more in
proportion to real world driving than a modern-ish supercar.

True, remember that a wise man learns from other's mistakes.
Actually I do have just that Rega system in my 13x11 den and it sounds VERY natural and captures both the dynamic range and low-level dynamics of the acoustic music I listen to.
In a big room I'd only need switch to RS-5's perhaps-there is a great synergy in a all Rega sytem, they know of what they do.
Don't tell the wife but on all but the largest symphonic works, I actually prefer it to my Belles/Maggy 3.6 rig in fsmily room.
The RS-3 is star on vocals,but probaly not a rockers dish which is irrelevant to me.

Dealer disclaimer:

After reading most of you guys posts, I thought to myself what a bunch of cynical, bull.

I have worked in the NYC market for 17 years, before opening my own shop, and I worked for two of the biggest high end audio dealers in the city, and over the years there were many excellent salesman and many happy and satisfied customers.

As with purchasing anything there are good dealerships and salespeople and bad dealers and bad salesman.

A good dealer is one that is trying to do right by their clients and put together a magical system for the client no matter what the price point is.

A bad dealer is one who sells their overstock stuff or pushes equipment that is in stock to the wrong client and is serving themselves.

A good dealer will have a wide selection of equipment and will spend the time to educate a prospective client and provide expert setup and installation services.

Yes it is true that only the client will know what sounds good to them but without having the ability to be educated

and experience the difference that changing electronics, or a digital source or cabling will make a neophyte can find the entire process extremely challenging to nearly impossible and that is what a good dealer is all about.

If this gentleman has a good local dealer or dealers then he should bring some music and start demoing and maybe he will put together a great system and become a happy audiophile instead of someone who can't stop upgrading because their systems that they put together themselves sound dreadful.

I'm surprised by how many people think that dealers are driven only by the profit margin. Everything except one CDP, and one pr of speakers, I bought from my local dealer. I walked in in 1985 to buy a particular speaker. He could have took my cash, and I would have been gone in 10 minutes. He instead asked if I could come back tomorrow, and he would have some others I could demo. Long story short, I ended up with something else, which I still have to this day. We became great friends, and for 3 years now, I've been listing things on Audiogon for him. (we do still have the local retail store BTW)

I never pressure anyone. In the last few weeks, I actually told several buyers I thought they were better off going with something else. After emailing with one for a day, and telling him a subwoofer was wrong for him, I spent about an hour on the phone, telling him what I thought would work best. (several brands I can't get) I also basically turned away a 4k sale on a recvr in this same time frame. When the buyer told me what he had, I explained he may like mine better, but, his set-up was first rate. I honestly didn't see it being a big step up for him.

I'm not looking for a "pat on the back" I'm simply trying to say that all dealers don't try sell what they are over stocked on, or what has the biggest profit. First, and foremost, I'm an enthusiat. I like talking to people, and I like to help them when I can. If I can't, I'm honest and tell them so. Better to be in it for the long haul, and make some friends, than to make a quick buck and have to run and hide. (we all know someone like that)

Maybe I'm a "dreamer" but I like to think most dealers feel/treat people like I do. If you go to a big box store, all bets are probably off. Then you are dealing with part time employees, who really need to sell to get paid.

Thats my honest take on it. Others will surely disagree. So be it.