How far would you drive to audition a component?

I won an ebay auction for a Salamander synergy twin 30 audio rack in Oklahoma City last month(I live in New Orleans). It stated local delivery only. I got a great price and planned a trip in the Talimena Parkway - a high mountain road in se Oklahoma Kiamichi mountains.
10 hours each way. I also hit up 3 record stores on this weekend trip

Usually I'd keep a trip down to 5 hours one way

Galibier in Boulder Colorado offers airfare trip compensation for those who purchase their turntables.
Sounds like a nice scenario

I'd probably fly to hear a big speaker or amp purchase or do it as a side loop to a vacation. That being said I purchased a pair of Salk HT3's lightlyused - unheard as they had many extra features I wanted and were competitively priced. This turned out really well.

Analog front end purchases - cartridge/arm I've done off of word of gon mouth, I trust those who have done all the legwork. And you can't go wrong with Mehran at Sora Sounds

On the amp end - I am considering a Moscode 401hr
they have a money back 30 day in house trial
that's a nice option to see your own in house synergy

gjames - the talimena parkway was great, and that made the drive an easy sell
I hit it on a sunny winter day - well worth the ride

where are you located

tom

if you think auditioning audio equipment is tough

try auditioning and buying an upright bass
not only you but your instructor/bass friend
need to travel and hope a deal isn't reached before you get there

then lug the thing back
no planes there