1 - I heard it many many years ago in an audio show. I don't remember the electronics, but the speakers were the mighty B&W 800. The sound was so naturally powerful that I truly believed, before entering the room, that a real orchestra was playing in there. I was shocked to see a pair of speakers instead of musicians...
2 - I think that a good store has the best conditions to present the best sound. A good store combines expert people, the best gear possible and a proper room. Usually I get better experiences in stores - the real good ones.
3 - I really don't know. I have no idea. My case alone is deceptive: After many changes I ended up with the very same combination that I heard in one of my regular stores. Same turntable (Nottingham Analogue), same amplifier (Line Magnetic 219ia) and the same speakers (Zu Audio Omen Def). But the sound was far better in the store and the reason is the room. I have my system assembled in a very bad room, and for now I can't change that. Maybe in the future...
4 - I'm not sure about what system I would like to try, but there are some pieces of gear that I never heard and I'm curious about. Like Magico speakers, Pass amplifiers and VPI tables. But one system that really impressed me as "ultra high end - go rob a bank" was a pair of Marten Coltrane Supreme driven by KR Kronzilla amplifiers. That was WoW! (in a store in Hong Kong last year)
2 - I think that a good store has the best conditions to present the best sound. A good store combines expert people, the best gear possible and a proper room. Usually I get better experiences in stores - the real good ones.
3 - I really don't know. I have no idea. My case alone is deceptive: After many changes I ended up with the very same combination that I heard in one of my regular stores. Same turntable (Nottingham Analogue), same amplifier (Line Magnetic 219ia) and the same speakers (Zu Audio Omen Def). But the sound was far better in the store and the reason is the room. I have my system assembled in a very bad room, and for now I can't change that. Maybe in the future...
4 - I'm not sure about what system I would like to try, but there are some pieces of gear that I never heard and I'm curious about. Like Magico speakers, Pass amplifiers and VPI tables. But one system that really impressed me as "ultra high end - go rob a bank" was a pair of Marten Coltrane Supreme driven by KR Kronzilla amplifiers. That was WoW! (in a store in Hong Kong last year)