This is a response to JFRmusic’s post. Yes, I’ve been able to demo a component in-home “for free” with the set-up you mentioned….and then subjected to incredulous looks by salespeople when returning the item and informing them it didn’t float my boat. This particular incident happened about 40 years ago, but I still remember feeling embarrassed and a little guilty returning the item. From a dealer’s prospective time is money not to mention that the item, with each demo., has some additional wear and tear that it didn’t have before. A nominal charge for demoing seems more than reasonable under the circumstances. This way, everyone is happy (perhaps not whole but at least a little wiser). The customer, while not ecstatic over forfeiting some $ is at least not obligated to spend for a full purchase for a component that didn’t meet his /her expectationsand the dealer, while disappointed about not making a sale at least recuperates some $ for his efforts.
I respect rvpianos opinion to decline the offer (this scenario obviously didn’t work for him) but I really believe this is a viable way of handling one of the more difficult problems with hi-end audio purchases and I wish more dealers would offer this service.