Hi-end audio is a big zero

I gave up on B&M years ago when I realized I was just wasting both our times. I wanted at home demos of a variety of equipment, listening to just the one brand they carried on my list just didn't cut it. At this point I realized I was going to have to become a complete diy in regard to assembling systems.

I was lucky in that I was old enough that I had lived through the golden age of B&M when dealers spent lots of time with me educating and allowing home demos, I also attended many shows and spent much time researching all things audio.

From this background, I began assembling a number of systems over the years, made mistakes, discovered my preferences. Over time I was able to assemble increasingly satisfying systems to point I may have my end game system.

With today's situation I'd have hard time relying on B&M for gaining knowledge and doing home demos. I'd have to do shows, do much research on line for educating myself and demo via used marketplace, keeping what I like, selling the rest. It's really golden age for diy system builder, not so good for those relying on dealers. The good thing is there are a lot of experienced audiophiles out there willing and able to help with system building, great resource, use them.

I suppose I was spoiled in that I had local dealers that were willing to give much time to a young fella trying to learn and without the money to purchase much of the equipment I was listening to. I also had local dealer who sold new and took used on consignment, this inventory extremely large. I developed friendships with some, got to hear personal setups. All in all this was golden age of B&M for me.

Local B&M today mostly about home theater, and the audiophile brands they carry mainstream brands, over priced, don't interest me. I was kicked out of one local emporium for the mere mention of internet sales, loudly berated in front of other customers, that was final straw for me.

I have no problem with those whose wealth is in fact hard earned, but so much of the wealth in this world attained through luck of having been born into it. Unequal opportunity is the fundamental issue.

When I add up the cost of my system, and all the systems I've built over nearly 30 years, it sometimes makes me think how many people may not make that much over a lifetime of work. This hobby is sheer indulgence, $4500 for an entire system is not something to be ashamed of!