We like to think that high-end audio is different because we take the time to audition how musical a piece of equipment is. But, in reality, we don't often first listen to everything we buy. Have you ever purchased a component before listening to it?
COMMENTS
Living overseas, it's not always possible to audition a component, so careful research can lead one in the right direction, if one knows reviewers' tastes, etc. I have never been disappointed when purchasing this way, although I'd never buy speakers, amps, or preamps unheard.
My Acoustat 1+1 speakers. I already had the 2+2s and so was familiar with what to expect. Usually, if I have already familiarized myself with a particular product, I am more flexible on my auditioning requirements on the next model up or down in the lineup, especially if there is a strong financial incentive and good reviews to motivate me.
I purchased some Infinity Compostion Preludes after reading an article on it by Robert Harley, who mentioned he bought his review models. His discriptions of the sound of these speakers were so beautifully worded and convincing that I had to buy them. It proved to be one of my better audio puchases that I still cherish.
I purchased a Denon 5000 changer and two 5001 slave units without auditionning them. No dealer had them! No magazine reviewed them! Well, it is a great changer and a great CD player. I actually dumped my Meridian after that. I never understood why Stereophile never reviewed it.
With all the flavors that audio gear comes in, buying without hearing is too risky a proposition for me. I have heard some very expensive, well-reviewed gear that sounded awful to my ears. If I can't hear it myself, I will not buy it.
Most would agree that the best place to audition gear is in your own home on your own rig. I bought my speakers directly from the manufacturer. They came with a 30-day money-back guarantee in case I didn't like them. They paid the shipping to me, and they made it clear that they would also pay the return shipping. Further, they don't charge a restocking fee. The best part is, they were nice to me and treated me as if they actually wanted my business. Imagine that!
Most of the time I start by looking at the back panel of the component in question. If it doesn't have the inputs and/or outputs that I want/need, I keep looking. Specs and features are also important. Chances are that if I buy an A/V component, I have already read the instruction manual. Manuals, spec sheets, and back panels tell most of the story for me. Auditioning is usually for tweaking purposes, rather than for making a buying decision. For instance, if I didn't have a good idea the product was going to improve my system, it wouldn't be in the room. Let me pose another question. Do you test performance parts for your car before buying them? Of course not. You buy based on specs and compatibility issues.
Once, about seven years ago I bought a CD player since I didn't have one. It was the Melos CD-T Bit unit, which I still have, as I've heard nothing under $3500 that sounded greatly superior! I lucked out. I know quite a few who weren't as lucky.
My audio rack and a set of Cardas Signature caps were the only items I purchased without hearing them first, not that they make much noise, and even those purchases came with a return policy. As far as source components are concerned, I have to hear it before paying for it.
I have bought all of my cables prior to listening to them in my system. One time I was dissapointed: I have bough a digital cable that did not work in my system, but later I cut it into two parts and used it as an analogue interconnect (it was a prior purpose of the cable, but the manufacturer decided to promote it as also a digital lead) and it proved to sound right. Then I bought another digital cable and it worked well.
Unfortunately for me, there were not any true high-end stores in my area. I had to trust recommendations and customer reviews that I read in Stereophile and on the Internet. I spent several years researching and finally made the purchases either via the Internet or the phone. I always spoke to a salesperson or the owner before I made the final decision. I eliminated from my short list the individuals who did not seem to care to talk/discuss about the equipment unless I had first made the purchase. I constantly second-guessed myself and remained anxious throughout this ordeal. It would have been so much easier to audition each piece and to be able to purchase it locally. I felt that the way I ended up having to purchase it without audition was quite risky. Fortunately, it ended up being a positive experience for me. I am glad I paid more attention to Stereophile's reviews than reviews from consumer reports. I made purchases from manufacturers who backed up their products and from dealers who took the time to talk to me without any committment initially on my part. I now have completed the purchase of my dream system. It has been about 710 years since my search began and all of the equipment still work with no returns necessary. The companies I dealt with were: Vandersteen, Conrad-Johnson, Nakamichi, Panamax, Rega, Classe, Seinheiser, and McCormack.
I purchased my HK AVR7000 based on magazine reviews and, more importantly, various owner reviews. I have learned that, unless a dealer has the exact same setup as you, you will only get a faint idea whether you will like the equipment or not. It will always sound "different" when you get it home.
Lately, I've auditioned most components. However, ten years ago the first high-end piece of gear I purchased awas a Carver tubed cd player which I bought on sale on the dealer's recommendation, unheard. I still use it, it's my only CD player, outside of portables, and I think it sounds pretty good. After upgrading my power amp about four years ago from a Sonic Frontiers Power One to a Power Two, I was encouraged to up grade my speakers. A friend recommended a used pair of Proac 3.5s that were on sale. A salesman had previously recommended Proacs, especially for matching with tubes. I went for them, and have lived happily ever after. I just bought a line conditioner for my studio system out of a catalogrecommended and discounted, sight unseen. It's in the mail to me now.
I bought a pair of Thiel 2.3s without having heard them. They replaced a pair of Thiel 1.2s I owned for years, and I had listened to several other models in Thiel's lineup, so I thought it a safe purchase. The 2.3s are everything I expected and we're extremely happy with them.
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