Electronic Retailer's, Going By?

Dear Mr. Tennis, you are missing the point of what a dealer does, a dealer is more than just a lending library, a good dealer will guide the user to picking the right components and accessories that will make their system come alive.

When you work with a good dealer most likely that dealer will become your working partner and can help guide you to create the sound you are hoping to create.

When you do the go it alone route it is just you without the benefit of professional assistance, now I am not saying that over the years that I haven't met some talented and well informed end users, but in most cases I have been able to make huge improvements in peoples systems often without changing a single component.

It is very rare that an end user can match a professionals level of experience.

Audiofreakgeek.....in my experience most dealers can only get it right with gear they sell but if you are interested in something outside what they sell then it's a crap shoot at best. Dealers want to sell what they carry and to many will tell you once you go looking outside what they sell that's it's just no good! Retailers are just another car dealer IMHO.

I would imagine a very large percentage of the higher end gear is sold through a brick and mortar audio dealer. This might change very quickly but I hope it doesn't. My dealer is amazing and he actually saved me from advice given to me on this web site. I'm not saying there's not good information on this forum but every single opinion differs and most people on here just love to give their opinion. I think a dealer can make it a lot easier for someone to make choices, especially if they're just getting into audio. Where you go from there is fine but its the place to start. I know a lot of people with very expensive rigs who have never heard of Audiogon. They're a dying breed but they still have many years to go. We have a McIntosh dealer conveniently located by the largest University hospital within hundreds of miles and the place is packed every day. There's so much Mac gear in this town it would make your head spin. Why? Because its what their fathers had. My local dealer is just like Audioracle. If I want it he orders it. I would never expect anything more.