Nowhere to hear speakers and amps anymore!

They are getting very difficult to find unless you are in a large metropolitan area such as LA or New York. Coincidentally, just yesterday I stepped into a Best Buy store to buy an iPad for a Christmas gift. I had not set foot in a Best Buy in many years. While in there I could not resist the temptation to walk over to the stereo area. To my surprise they had 3 separate listening rooms with much higher caliber components than I had even seen in a Best Buy before. Before, they only sold run of the mill stuff. They have stepped up their game it seems. The listening rooms were very private and very well done.  I don't know if all Best Buy stores have undergone this renovation/change though. You may want to give them a try.

Thanks. I guess they bought Magnolia Audio several years ago, but then I heard they dumbed/down the equipment to consumer stuff. Nice to hear of your experience. I’ll try it. 

The internet contributed to the near-death of the Brick and Mortar audio shop that you and I remember from the 70's.  If you want to actually hear and see a wide range of different high end gear, go attend one of the larger audio shows.  I am sure there is something not too far away from you, in LA or Vegas or somewhere else near the west coast, that somebody here could recommend.  Also, with the direct to buyer model adopted by some manufacturers there are greater opportunities to try stuff in your own home/system that you could return (sometimes with a restocking fee) if it doesn't work out for you.

Right. But geez, what a hassle! 

 I guess they bought Magnolia Audio several years ago, but then I heard they dumbed/down the equipment to consumer stuff. 
 

Some Best Buys’ have the Magnolia section, but it’s not universal. I feel like Magnolia has been reduced - the selection and quality is nowhere near what it was at the University or Bellevue location. The level of knowledge of the salesperson is also very different from what we may have been accustomed to in the original stores. Still worth the time if you happen to be in a Best Buy that has a Magnolia section, but definitely not the same.