How long is it taking to receive a preamp?

@emergingsoul

Its always best to do business with people and organizations you trust. If you don't trust them or if they dont trust you, dont do a deal. Lead times are long from good companies with good products.

Regarding dealers, they are absolutely critical. Maybe not in the same way as in the past (retail storefront, multiple demo rooms, cash and carry) but they serve an important role. System matching, upgrade paths, dealers are important.

@emergingsoul

You may have been speaking with the wrong dealers. In addition, if you believe dealers are heavily biased, try asking Audio Research how their preamplifier stacks up against Shindo or Audio Note or BAT or another brand you may be considering.

Once again, buy what you like from whomever you like but no one is unbiased. 

What makes you think that audio firms with an unprecedented backlog of orders are generally in danger of going under? That’s counterintuitive. It reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote when talking about a restaurant "Nobody goes there anymore, its too crowded".

If you are unwilling to place an order and wait for it your only options for new gear will be from those dealers who stock or manufacturers who may not be experiencing a windfall of orders (which may also be a danger signal) or occasionally there is a manufacturer capable of scaling up quickly. That gear will likely be pcb based with snap/screw final assembly. Point to point/hand made gear...there is a lead time, especially if the gear is good/sought after.

Then, there is the used route which is also a great avenue but prices for great used gear is on the rise as well.

@emergingsoul 

Because they have minimal cash flow.  Backlog is meaningless if no sales.cant pay employees.

No offense intended whatsoever, but your logic isn't making sense. Your original premise is you are uncomfortable paying a 50% deposit in advance of ordering an item. The only way to have a backlog of orders(sales) is if people like you and I have ordered gear AND paid the required deposit.

So, in this example, they DO have sales AND the cash to pay employees.

@emergingsoul To understand the supply chain is to understand your statement is innocently inaccurate. Most manufacturers are set up to be sustainable with a certain level of working capital. Assuming they were a viable ongoing concern before the order backlog, they are even more viable with an order backlog. Paying a typical manufacturer 50% of retail in advance as a deposit to place an order almost completely covers their wholesale cost of a given item.

In short, the high end audio business has likely never been healthier. As a consumer, I understand that what you are likely saying is that you prefer a transaction that is instantly fulfilled. With today’s unprecedented demand and supply imbalance, the better gear is pre ordered and spoken for. The ultimate irony right now is that if something is available for instant delivery, in many cases that might be indicative that it may not be among the more coveted pieces of gear. 
You seem to be trying to imply that if a manufacturer has a backlog, that they may be in trouble. My premise is that an order backlog, prepaid by the consumer, is actually a dream scenario for a manufacturer. There are exceptions of course but a prepaid order backlog isnt bad for the industry, just bad for those who want instant gratification. Warm regards…