what is the weakest link in my audio chain

Rleff - "When I got into audio the store I did business with in St.Paul MN policy was to pick up the piece for audition on saturday and return the unit on monday as they were closed on sunday;I haven't bought new in many years and did not know that this practice of doing business has vanished."

Despite what "Iplaynaked" says, this practice has not totally disapeared. You might have to look around a bit but that type of dealer still exists.

Iplaynaked - You said that you had worked in a number of "high end audio stores" over the years .... Are any of them still in business? If your attitude represents that of the owners that I suspect not. Do you purchase a new vehicle without taking it for a thorough test drive? I hope not. Not trying to pick a bone with you but it's exactly that type of attitude that caused many of the specialist AV stores to close. And just as an example of what can happen when you allow a customer to demo components in their own systems - in the last 12 months I've purchased a $3,000. cd player and a $5,000 integrated amp after trying them and a couple others in my 2 channel system. Probably not "high end" money by your standards but it seemed to please the guy I purchased them from.

I took the other route since I could not get an in house demo from my local dealers. I purchased over the last couple of years quite a few gears from local craigslist, ebay, and here on audiogon. Tried them for a few days or a week, then sell them if I do not like them or think there are better components for the money. Sure I sometimes lose a few dollars during this trying and swapping process, but it allows me to audition quite a few gears and I feel it worth it.

Benqsun- nothing wrong with that as long as the $$ hit isn't to bad.
Northwoods_maine - nice to hear stores like I was use to are still offering that option.