Is it important to long demo or own HIGH END gear to have a fair accurate view about it?

OP i appreciate your correction…. most creates doubt…. wondering how many tonearms you have heard ? …. while controlling the other variables……

@asvjerry I would say, knowing Brian as i do…it’s likely a hybrid  oat - wheatberry treble… His reference system is centered around Quad 57 and Croft tube gear… he is on my list of state of mind people to maintain a learning friendship with

@waytoomuchstuff You had me interested at wineglass, sold at Dog. Bless you too !

@tomic601 a few years ago during this journey the owner of a company o worked with swapped out gear 2 to 3 times a year which led to about 5 or 6 years of long extended 2 to 3 month demos with gear.  I haven’t ears as many turntables as digital but that combined with knowing a dealer named Dave Baskin who had ALS and was literally on a mission to hear as many systems as he could put together and he put together many because he had the resources. These experiences has alllowed me to run through a lot of gear on long demos. I been blessed. 

@tomic601 turntables are a whole other monster. $$. I haven’t heard the number of turntables as opposed to digital. I have heard some turntables but not the really expensive ones. My turntable knowledge is limited 

calvinj

A long-demo is key to proper assessment and evaluation of Audio gear.

This is my practice. Season's Greetings.

Happy Listening!