On occasion individuals come to this forum asking for advice based on owner experience. Many forum members, myself included, jump at the opportunity to provide advice. Recently an opportunity came my way regarding the more appropriate integrated amplifier for a pair of Harbeth 40.2 speakers. The requestor had narrowed the field to one of two Luxman integrated amplifiers, the 590AXii and the 509X.
I offered my thoughts and strongly recommended auditioning the speakers with both amplifiers, preferably in oneās home situation. I offered my Luxman 509X as a short term loaner to assist in the decision. Distance got in the way of that option unfortunately. I stand by the idea of live auditions with competing components, first at a local shop/salon and ultimately in oneās home. Most shops are open to a loan as long as the buyer is serious, and a sale is the likely outcome.
That said I came across this advice on the Vandersteen Forum from Richard Vandersteen, and stand by it:
Buy any of the ones you listed that you can borrow and listen to. If you like the sound your good. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING ON ANYONES SUGESTION, EVEN MINE WITHOUT LISTENING TO IT! I would not recommend our own M5-HPA without audition. Many hear differences and call them Day and Night while another will hear the same demo and call it a āsmall changeā. Expectations that are over done or under achieved are not good for this hobby/business. A good demo removes all the mystery. The one you know is better than the best for someone else because you picked it.
Advice is wonderful, and Ron P, among others, has offered some excellent advice for me regarding Pass Labs equipment. Being familiar with Pass Labs gear, and their house sound I was comfortable with my choices. But their is risk with advice, and Richardās thoughts hold true.
So when seeking peer advice the rule of thumb is trust your own ears prior to laying out some serious cash, or have an āescape planā.
Vice just purchasing them? Realistically though, an audition should be loads of fun, just leave you wallet in the car. BTW, when are your MBL 101 Extreme Mk II due in?
Watching this thread evolve, my āescape planā is easy to define. I do purchase quite a bit of hardware ear unheard. I never purchase hardware ear unheard that isnāt backed by something like a 30-day in-home audition with a no hassle return policy if it doesnāt work out. I wonāt exchange a single penny with a dealer that doesnāt offer an in-home audition privilege. The industry knows how the high-end audio consumer view on this has changed, especially with so many superb brands embracing ecommerce, and has responded accordingly. That is why I havenāt stepped foot in a brick-and-mortar shop for years. In-home audition with return privilege (and Iām not talking about the silly old business of a dealer lending me a piece for, like, two days when heās closed with pressure to have it back in his shop at opening time next day) is the way of judging a potential purchase properly.
My experience is most brick and mortar dealers are rather accommodating wrt in home auditions.
The dealer experience can give me an idea of what to expect . An in home audition can further inform the decision.
Your situation isnāt typical. For the average buyer, it is not asking too much for a loaner.
EDIT:
In situations where the components, are massive, bulky, and pricey listening appointments are typically arranged where the components may be demoed extensively. So the opportunity to hear them is provided.
My take away has become nothing bigger or heavier than a M1200 unless I can find it locally. Return shipping was taking too big a bite out of the budget.
Not in my experience. Count the hifi shops who have Gryphon gear in their showrooms. As for MBL Extremes, only three shops in the US have them. And no shops have PS Audio gear.
I find a good generalization is generalizations suck.
