Would you pay to listen?

I would if atmasphere's preamp and MA3's were driving the best soundlab speaker made today;using a top digital source and analog setup;I think I would place down a twenty.

You got that right Rleff. Or maybe the big Audio Classics w the field coil driver. But I agree with David12 and Wolf that it ain't gonna happen in the real world, beyond an open listening promo session that a high-end boutique might offer. Can you imagine someone allowing any Tom Dick or Harriette to handle their $10K tonearm w a $15K nude cantilever cart on it. I know I would not. I also agree that its hard to understand why more dealers don't offer once a month evening sessions. Beside generating good will, it might be a viable way to separate the tire-kickers from the buyers.

hi mitch 4t:

in principle, based upon your paradigm of the context of the listening environment you propose, i would not pay to listen. there is no justification in my mind to pay for listening to a pre-owned stereo system , regardless of its alleged quality.

The so-called high-end dealers should perform a credit check first, before honoring such requests. Audi dealers do that in a very subtle way. You sure don't want an used car buyer to test drive an brand new Audi for the hack of it.

;-)

Mr tennis would you pay to be able to compare what your system can do vs a 100k system can do?
I would think most of the audiophiles have that question in the back of their mind;it is something I do think about but in reality will probally never be answered.