Need Advice on Amp Audition at a Dealers

buy a spl meter to ensure level matching, otherwise you will most likely prefer the louder setup....
have fun !

Verify with the dealer that they are OK with that. They might not be to protect their assets in case something is wrong with the amp. 

If they are local an in home demo would be best as always. 

I think bringing a "comedy stunt" amp that sparks and smokes a little would be hilarious.

Home audition is the ONLY way to do this effectively. We are dealing with SYSTEMS and theirs is NOT YOURS. Can’t be done? They won’t allow this? Then take your chances and listen to an amp IN THEIR SYSTEM. But you won’t be listening to an amp, will you?

Home demo or audition would be best. That way you get to listen to the new amp vs the one you have now in your own setup, system and room environment using your own cables, front end source components and your own speakers. 

thanks to all who took the time to respond. I've been in the hobby a long time and realize a home audition is optimal.  I am hours away from the dealer and a home audition is just not feasible. I want to hear the difference between my current amp and the one I'm considering. I figure this would be a way to hear "differences" even in a strange room and not my gear. If that's a waste of time I guess I forgo the whole experience. Asking the dealers input and "permission" to A-B is a great idea.

One problem I can see with your idea is that you need to think of the speaker and amp as essentially one component.  Unless the dealer has the same speakers as you do, you will be hearing how your and another amp interact with the speakers they're hooked up to; they may not work the same way with your speakers.  If he has the same speakers as you, then your idea will work well

What amps are we talking about ? Maybe the answer is very obvious even without auditioning side by side. I wouldn't do it with my Redgum and Gryphon or Lamm - Redgum would lose big time with any speakers.

What amp are you currently using ? What amps are you looking at ?

A home audition is best.  Ask the dealer to send out one of his techs to set it up for you.  If you need it for a few days, you'll have to pay for the tech to come back, but the cost won't be that bad.

The advantage of letting someone else set it up is that you can concentrate on the performance, letting the other guy handle the technical details.  We are all capable of doing it ourselves, but in this type of situation allow yourself the luxury of being able to focus on the sound quality and system synergy.  It will be fun and rewarding.  If you end up buying the amp, you'll probably be able to work out a deal.  But the service will be worth every penny!

Oops... just read your message and realized the dealer is hours away.  Might not be practical, you might have to do it yourself if the dealer is cool with that (they usually are once you throw down your plastic).

I’ve done this a few times and to be honest the results are mixed at best. Different speakers, room, cables, partnering electronics, etc., completely mask the differences in the amps. Unless you’re comparing very different types of amps, e.g, low power tube to mid-hi power SS, etc., then the experiment is worth the effort. My experience, YMMV.

@tuberist - the advice offered above covers most of the related concerns with taking your amp with you, but I do believe it is worthwhile.

What you didn’t provide are any details as to your current amp and the amps you are thinking of auditioning.

The other thing I would suggest you take along are your speaker cables. These can change the sound of the amp you are listening to and sometimes in a bad way.

I would also recommend you have them connect the amp to the most expensive speakers/system in the place - then you will be able to hear the slightest differences between the two amps.

When I auditioned my Node 2 Streamer I had the dealer install it in a system that had Avantguard horn speakers (@ $30,000) just so I could hear it at it’s very best.

Good luck with the shopping - Steve

thanks again for all the recommendations. Since I can't do a home audition without buying I threw out this post knowing some of you kind souls would help me out. I've just started back again at Audiogon after a long absence. the site now is very different. the "portholes" are pretty weird. Anyway, I owned push pull and set tube amps for 20+ years and decided to try a PS Audio Stellar 300...a class D with about 140 watts a side; this is a seriously good amp. However,  I'm thinking I miss the "fun" of the tube amps (tube rolling etc)  and am interested in auditioning a Rogue Stereo 100 tube amp. My speakers aren't made anymore. I've owned them since 2005 and am still satisfied. The speakers are Von Schweikert db99's and they have internally powered woofers. Best holidays to all of you!

@tuberist 

In regards to the "portholes." 

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I agree with williewonka , when I auditioned my preamp it was in a $50k system and it sounded great so I figured I’d take a chance. Turned out to be one of my best purchases ever.  I auditioned my DAC in same system and it was able to hang with some $$$ gear.   

I auditioned my my speakers with the same amps I own and preamp.  Dealer just happened to take in a used pair on trade and was a cj dealer so I was lucky.   

Best to audition in some way but sometimes I’ll take a chance.  

@tuberist

Auditioning your amp against another without your preamp, front end, and ESPECIALLY with different speakers, will perhaps allow you to establish an amplifier preference.  But it's highly questionable whether that preference will be applicable back at your home and with your system.    

If the dealer in question is familiar you, they should allow a home trial.  If otherwise, perhaps the dealer may let you take the amp home with some sort of payment/deposit for the expressed purpose of a X number of days audition.  That shouldn't be a problem as long as the dealer is fully convinced they won't "loose" the cost of an amplifier.  At any rate, good luck with your amplifier quest....

Try an Icon Stereo 30 SE from Music Direct.  If you don't like it, they have a 60 day return policy.  I have a hunch they will pair up nicely with your speakers, which are just crying for Class A single ended power. You also may end up not needing your preamp (the 30 SE has a built-in passive pre).