Would you pay to listen?

I am a little late chiming in on this thread since a friend just told me about it yesterday. He felt I should jump on in since one of the systems highlighted in one of the posts as an example is mine.

I do have mixed feelings about this. Part of me feels that the only person that should pay to listen to a particular system is the owner that did so after painstakingly putting it together. We have all already payed prices just to listen to our own systems and in my book, that is enough.

Personally, I welcome anyone to come over and listen, because a big part of this hobby to me is the sharing and the community. I want to be able to share what I have learned so far and continue to learn from others. I would have stagnated out several times over had it not been for listening to other systems and to the suggestions from visitors to my room. There always seems to be a new adventure (an improvement) just around the corner.

I think I would question someones motives for wanting to charge somebody to listen to their system. It just seems so against my own involvement in this hobby. But, I suppose there are a few legit reasons for asking for money. The bottom line is that if I really wanted to listen to something, say far from home, and that was the only way it was going to happen, then yes I might do it.

YES! One condition. I get to assembly the system. I would be a repeat customer for $20.00.

I used to do that when I attended the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I paid to hear a number of different systems. Now I volunteer and attend for "free", except for the time I donate.

If a friend invited me to hear a fabulous system in their home, then I'd probably bring a bottle of wine or scotch.

why would anyone pay to hear a recording ? it makes sense to pay for a concert, although some are free, but it seems ludicrous to pay to hear a recording, regardless of how good the sound is.

the human element is missing (nothing visual) when you listen to a stereo. the feeling of the audienece is missing. its an incomplete experience and while it is the next best thing to a concert, it is a distant second. if anything, the dealer should pay you to listen to his system.

"There's nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning."
If one doesn't understand this comment, then one doesn't understand the 'lust' that hopeless audiophiles (like me) experience when seeing a pair of the big boy MBL's, the big boy Sound Labs--the newest VAC Gear by Kevin Hayes.
Most of us 'crazies' might entertain paying for the opportunity...some stores in New York and other metro areas, during the 'heat' of economic better times, DID, I am told charge for a session, the price of which, on purchase would be credited to that purchase. So...this is not a new concept in that regard...its just that, in the dark light, (hmmm that would simply be dark, right?) of the current economic reality, it seems out of place to think anyone would pay for this priv.

So, I'd have to say, 'if you have to ask', you're not a hopeless audiophile like some of us. lol

Larry