mktmkt:
Sonically yes, they are the same but the finish is a lot more than stain. We use the same veneer house as Bentley and Maserati. Consumer dealers service and support is WAY different than pro. Pro dealers serve studio customers that are 100% self servicing. No long chats on the phone about cables or stands, no loaners, no on site service, no local service, etc. Might be a rare exception, but its pretty much the way it is. Also pro dealers have zero experience with consumer gear and consumer applications. "A streamer? You mean decorations for a party?" You won't be asking a pro dealer about what cables sound like, turntables, tone arms, CD players, or music servers.
I see consumer dealers get parts from us and service people's stuff locally. Their customers deal with them, not us. If you believe in the idea that advice is the key (ie. buying the right product is more important than buying what you think is good at the lowest price) then buying from a good consumer dealer you trust will save more money over time by avoiding a purchase error and supporting you when you have issues or problems.
Brad
