I'm interested in hearing what "the best" systems sound like, where to go?

@mike_in_nc 

Don't know what part of NC you are in but there is a great place called Liquid Hi Fi outside Charlotte, NC. Ron has a great listening room set up in his home that you could spend hours in, playing around with different components and permutations.

Try Genesis Audio Limited in Gahanna, OH, a suburb of Columbus. 

I second the idea of hearing the best. Years ago I had the good fortune to spend some time at Goodwin's High End near Boston. At one point in the conversation I asked the owner what was the best system he had. To put it mildly, I was impressed. That system has since become my reference point. I will never be able to afford it, but I now know what is possible with really good components.

I think it depends on where you live.  It is always a good idea to spend a few days at a good audio show.  However, many of them will bring some of their less expensive speakers because they assume most people will spend the money.  They should have floors dedicated to beginners and floors dedicated for high end.

I remember sitting in a $1 million room at the RMAF and a writer for Stereophile Magazine was there.  He handed them a CD and said this was the best to listen to system capabilities.  After a few minutes he asked how much the system cost.  When the guy replied $1 MILLION he replied that's not too bad.  I knew he was full of ...........  Quite frankly, I didn't see the value unless you have so much money you don't know how to spend it.  After you set all of the gear up in a room, it looks ugly.  No way I would want something like that in my home.  Who is going to stare at ugly speakers for hours without seeing something visual.  Different strokes for different folks.

Sound quality is variable. It’s relative. You have to compare a system to something else. There are no absolutes. What might sound great to you could rather generic and mundane to someone else. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “but my system sounds fabulous!”