That's sort of my situation. I buy used gear that conforms with what I remember from when I did hang out in retail shops. Most of them looked at me (worn jeans, Harley shirt) and treated me indifferently. One shining exception was this fellow in Berkeley who spent over twenty hours listening to me and showing me different products, how they worked or didn't work together, the elements of speaker placement, many other things. He treated me like I was an old friend. I bought two big items from him at list. It seemed like the right thing to do for all his service. Mind you he didn't expect that outcome ... which made my decision of support that much more "right" feeling.
Now I do not have access to retailers. I would like to go to audio shows (like the RMAF) when cash and health permit. Basically thoughI have to extrapolate from what I learned a decade ago, and I tend to buy top-line equipment from that era. For more modern or unfamiliar products, it's all in how to read reviews and comparos, be they pro or amateur. That's how I narrow a list of "things I'd like to try", and I wait patiently for good deals on used gear. So far I have been very fortunate. For specifics, please visit my system.
But for new hot gear, I'm pretty much out of that loop.
cheers apo
