Hi-end audio is a big zero

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 .

Bought my Tannoys from Scotland sight/sound unseen/ unheard. They sound wonderful in my room.

Years ago I was deciding between Focal speakers and B+W speakers of equivalent price.  A dealer in Monterey CA had both plus the identical McIntosh integrated amp that I owned.  Made an appointment and drove from San Jose to Monterey.  When I got there, his feet were on his desk and he hadn’t set anything up. After he did, I was allowed to listen to my “test CD” on both speakers for a little while and then after 45 minutes, he stopped the demo and wanted me to make a purchase decision.  I asked if I could purchase the Focals on approval. He refused.  I had fully intended to pay the (then) full retail price of $8,000 rather than buy online for less. He was a jerk so I bought the Focals online for $5,000 from Canada.

Recently I called a high-end dealer and asked if the $8,000 Raidho XT-1’s were on demo. They weren’t and he would not bother to set up a demonstration for me.  He expected me to make a purchase decision for an $8,000 pair of bookshelf speakers “sound-unheard”. No sale there either.  Good, reputable dealers are a vanishing species.