How many dealers do you use?

@ronboco:

I hear what you're saying but I regard "Listen Up" fondly. When I wanted to purchase a SimAudio transport and the closest N. CA dealer refused to provide an in-home trial, I called "Listen Up" and they agreed to ship me one.

End results:

1) I bought the transport.
2) I will never buy anything from that dealer in SF 

I wish we had dealers like Listen Up in my area. 

My last few major hardware purchases were from "Paragon Audio" an internet outlet. I have not been in an Audio Salon in over 20 years.

@stuartk 
Thank you for your thoughts. They were very helpful to me as well and even price matched a few things I could of gotten cheaper elsewhere. I will definitely keep my relationship with them in good standing. 
Happy listening 

@douglas_schroeder  +33.34....*L*  Best suggestion if one desires a 'Cliffs' Notes: Current Audio Trends' speed education.  Spread over 2~3 days, if you haven't caught up you weren't paying attention. ;)

After that, ones' budget comes into play...*G*

Not long ago a turntable expert at Goodwin's High End fixed my que lever and tuned up my Linn for surprisingly small bucks.