Would you rent a $14,000 DAC for $75 per day?

"But folks, you can rent virtually anything - cars, dump trailers, DJ equipment, $50k RED cinema cameras, boats, Ferraris, someone’s personal house, etc. Seems like the only thing you can’t rent is hifi gear. "

Not really the same. If I am a landscaper and need a Vermeer stump grinder or a forestry cutter, someone will rent me one and it is up to me to rationalize that cost to the project. Same with a RED camera. Both are rented as tools for a project. Renting a DAC for a trial is more like renting an article of clothing, except even then not the same. Clothing rentals are usually for a unique event and are done because the renter does not foresee an ongoing use case for the item rented.  I could see the service as an entree to purchase by a dealer (credit the rental charge to the purchase, if done.) A DAC is a permanent part of a system; you need one or you don't. If you aren't going to sell the same high-dollar DAC, why bother? I doubt there is that much curoisity to make a useful market. Of course, if you are looking to buy a stock of equipment  as part of a venture on paper, have a writeoff for the gear and occasionally rent the items, then that is a different issue. I can't see it making any real money, though.

OP…. You are kidding right? Or why don’t you just sell or trade the gear you don’t listen to? Too simple an answer? Maybe buy a boat and leave the hifi to the music listeners…

@audio_bidder -- besides the exposure of physical damage or theft, don't forget you'll probably also want to purchase general liability coverage. There is the chance the unit's power supply could be damaged in shipping and end up shocking someone or starting a fire in their house, with them suing you. Even if not directly your fault, you'd still be dragged into the claim.

Your homeowner's policy would probably not provide coverage as HO policies typically exclude business operations.  Without a GL policy, you'd be left to pay out of your own pocket the legal fees and any damages that result.  (And, as a commercial property & casualty broker the past 40+ years, the odds of you find affordable property and liability coverage for this type of business operation as likely very slim.)

...one could always contact Lloyd's about insurance, but the service might end up costing more than the DAC in discussion....

Interest in that $ level would obviously infer you've got the means to make to make it stand and deliver, or go home.  

I don't hate you for that. ;)

I'd have a few conversations to get any or all of the above concerns moot, and joust onward.  Oh, and get it all on paper and Read it.

Next step, win the Lotto...*L*

No.