Would you pay to listen?

Balloons. Bad spelling is part of my charm.

Nope...I agree with Tvad

Do i have a problem spending $20 bucks to experience something truly high end? Not at all. I enjoy the hobby far more than I enjoy television or movies and the opportunity cost of the $20 is insignificant.

It would be fun to gain perspective on what the truly high end can do as my system is worth about a quarter of that (though much of it is Chinese gear which I feel increases SQ per dollar ratio significantly).

That said, I would be scared to open a can of worms that might help me identify flaws in my own system or 'sonic preferences' I didn't know I had...

Absolutely, I would. I just heard a $105,000 system at Audio Video Logic near where I live in Des Moines and it was absolutely fabulous. Of course that was free (and they provided the beer - nice guys). I can see myself paying $20 - $30 to hear a $200,000+ system (especially if it was an analog rig in a well-executed dedicated room.

Bad spelling is part of my charm.

Unfortunately, being a wise-a$$ is part of mine.

I would rather spend $600 and spend 3 days at RMAF - a great "vacation" for audiophiles.

Absolutely. A great time and shows just how good some modest equipment can sound AND how mediocre some very expensive rigs can sound.