@jafant I traded that in so that I can could by the Infigo Method 4 Dac. I work with Infigo Audio. I bought the Method 4 because Hans used to work with the inventor of the Ess Sabre Dac chip and when he developed this Dac. I heard it and was amazed. It’s the best dac I’ve heard ever. It’s expensive but he really built it well. He elimated distortion by building  mini heat sinks between the individual dac chip. He even has a program the measures the distortion in the second and third harmonics and can adjust the chip accordingly. It does all of this while sounding musical and giving a huge soundstage. I heard this dac and had to have it so I sold the soulution. I’m only demoing stuff now because a dealer has my dac and amp because he is considering taking in our line after hearing great things about it. I’m listening to the esoteric and so far it’s pretty good. I like my dac better but this esoteric has nice detail and musicality. Gonna let it run for another week.

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

All other variables being the same, not necessarily. IMHO, long term is more about deciding on preferences, not figuring out how something sounds. Sometimes you just have to make your best guess, put down your money, and live with it for a while before your know if you prefer it or not.

So many times I have bought something, decided on the sound and put it away. Then I will doubt myself, get it out months later, and yes, it still sounds like I remember.

As one audiophile's wife said "They all sound good, just pick one".

One should listen Youtube videos of live recordings before demo any audio equipment. All audio equipment are unnatural sound and human ears trick us always. That’s why even seasoned audiophiles can’t be confident about an audio sound and they keep change gears after many decades of their audio journey.

The microphone can’t lie. If A system sounds better than B system in YT, A system sounds better in real life. One should choose a favorite sound equipment in YT and demo it.  Alex/WTA

@mikelavigne  :"the high end is not gear, it’s a state of mind"

Word.

"Easily the best sentence.. explaining post to go with it I ever read in audiogon..."

I agree completely with @mahgister on Mike Lavigne's post.