Would you pay to listen?

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.

I think "whoring out" a high end audio system turns the owners into "audio pimps." Sleezy back door deals would be made..."OK Bob...10 bucks and you can hear the intro to Mahler's 8th and THAT'S IT pal!" "Hey there mister...wanna come in for some Chesky 180 gram?...come on baby..the first 3 minutes are FREE!" I can see the drooling audiophiles in the alley digging into their Dockers for a crumpled 20 to slide into the greasy palm of the doorman..."Come on dude...I gotta hear the Magicos...please man...all I got at home is Adcom and Polk." Then, of course, the gear world would be littered with Wilson Sophias in tattered grill covers and shop worn woofers wandering Ebay with no shread of self respect...

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Wolfman, get a grip, you're losin' it man.

Take a tip from the previous post by Manoterror below:

lol…where do you guys get the curmudgeon sized vat of starch for your underwear?

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