@lalitk +1 on acoustic treatments
Hi-end audio is a big zero
This is no knock on dealers, It's just how hi-end audio is.
I go listen to some speakers. He has them set up like crap - jammed between 3 other pair. Running on electronics I would never choose so I have to try and compensate for what I imagine they are contributing to the sound. Then after 30 minutes, I am expected to shell out the $4,500.00.
I narrowed it down to two transports from an online retailer. And who knows if those 2 are even a good choice? Told point blank, I am not allowed to buy both and return the one I don''t want. Just pick one and buy it. Shell out $1,000-$3,500 based on what?
One e-tailer will allow purchase 3 speakers totally $12K and return the two I don't want. Sorry, i have a conscience and can't do it to him.
Read all you want. Talk all you want. Listen at dealers all you want. But unless you listen in your own room, it's all meaningless. I'm talking even just 5 to 30 minutes can be all it takes. But that is basically impossible.
Sure you can buy and sell on A-gon or Ebay if you find what you want have the time to go through the process.
If the prices weren't so high or I did not care about sound quality maybe it would not matter.
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@lalitk x1000 on room treatments. |
I always start with reading reviews -- professional reviewers like magazines with a grain of salt and a microscope to read between the lines, and user opinions on sites like Agon. That all gets me a short list before I go to the dealers. I listen at dealers to find if something sounds bad. I don't expect it to sound good unless the dealer is exceptional in his demo setup. If something does sound bad, I figure out whether it is a product issue or a demo setup issue. Obviously, if it is a product issue, I'm on to the next candidate. I appreciate the time, effort, and financial commitment the dealers have devoted to providing the demo experience. And it's good to talk to experienced salespersonnel who have listening experience. |
Most successful hifi dealers these days offer useful personalized purchase advice and also have some kind of reasonable return policy. I would not buy expensive hifi gear otherwise. It’s not as bad as buying a car and having no ability to return it for a reasonable cost if not satisfied. I suspect even buying jewelry and most other luxury items is similarly worse. |
Things have changed big time in the last 10 years when I was operating my Audiostore until 2010 you came over had drinks pastries and we sat down and listened ,then spent at least 4-6 hours trying to put together a synergistic system and buy whatever you could afford ,and even let you try out cables . |
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