Dealers hijacking the discussions

Its gnat, not nat.

@audiotroy and @gpgr4blu 
you two have proven the OPs point just by your interactions here. You have turned this into a personal diatribe against each other. And you've hijacked the thread.  You are both being childish while calling everyone else childish. 

You both think you are better than the other (and better than most). Guess what?  You're both wrong. 

Grow up. You have value to offer but your senseless pissing match is obscuring that value. 

Agree with soundermn.  Would be hesitant to venture anywhere close to any establishment managed/run/owned by either.  

I generally lurk here but the desire for the old days resonates for me. I agree this used to be more hobbyists discussing used equipment and the pitching was on the For Sale section of the site. Changes creep up on you slowly. Imperceptibly even. Then here we are in pissing matches with characters unfamiliar. 

Years ago I was in the market for a CD player and bought one for some several-thousand-ridiculous-dollars. The guy selling me the unit said then that his future was not looking good. He’s got bricks and mortar to finance and the future is not this mechanical gizmo, but rather a chip the size of his fingernail. And now it’s all come true. The fact that dealers comb online fora for customers is a result of the collapse of their industry. 

I remember growing up in the 60s and there was plenty of flimflam then, but dealers were busy in their shops and listening rooms with little time for used equipment hobbyists. Call me old fashioned, but I like the old amp with knobs you have to jiggle to get it just right. 

I’m grateful for the select group that’s still here with a grounding wire still hanging off their ear.