Road trip to demo $10,000 speakers

Why is there so much used gear for sale?

Because people ask silly questions, listen to countless worthless recommendations and purchase based on them or 10 minute showroom demos in an environment totally unlike their own.

A lot of $10k speakers are a joke. Several mentioned here failed on multiple levels either due to bad design, poor setup or electronic mismatch.

The probability of assembling an SoA system schlepping a bag load of CDs all over the countryside is vanishingly small.

One needs 3 diverse tracks to evaluate a system, assuming one knows for what to listen. Mine:
1. Ruby Baby - Donald Fagan. Original CD.
2. Mornin’ - Al Jarreau. Original CD
3. Underture from Tommy. Original CD
Most don’t make it through 2.

Many newer CDs are vastly inferior to the original release. They are digitally processed copies of poor transfers or digitally processed multiple times. Ditto tracks on Tidal. Ditto some audiophile CDs.

Never forget we are building a system. All the research in the world is not worth a 30s listen.

IF the OP is serious, he should make appointments for a system in his total price and parameter range [ total DoReMi, speaker size, integrated/separates, CD/streamer, etc.]. The system should be properly setup as best the shop can make it. The room should be of similar size, layout and treatment to the OPs. If a shop is unwilling to do this for a $40k+ [assuming reasonable system dollar apportionment for $10k speaker] sale, move on. Accept no apologies as to why the sound is sh.tty. Just leave.

IF the OP finds something, he should get an in-home evaluation. Expect to pay return shipping.

Everything else is just wa…..

Hi skyscraper,

I had  Dahlquist DQ10's and ended up trading up to Vandersteen's 1C. When I secured the Vandersteens I fell into a pair of Conrad Johnson MV 52 Amps with A CJ Evolution 20 pre amp all of which I bi amped into the Vandersteen's. It was a great sound. But after a while I rolled into a pair of Sonus Faber Cremona. The originals designed by Serblin.  I still have them today and have changed my view on how I approach upgrades to my system overall. This said if I were to make a change in my speakers, for a little more - but last investment,  I would say definitely check out :

Devore Fidelity - Gibbon X for New
but highly Recommend Silverbacks - discontinued if you can fin find. 

http://www.devorefidelity.com/ 

Prof, good point and I will be doing just that.

Googoogjoob. trust i've already squeezed out a few more thousand than I should with the $10,000 mark. 

Jeffersondavis, will do. The Aerial 7t's are high on my list for their small footprint alone, along with excellent reviews. 

Thyname, thanks for the heads up on what speakers the stores you mention carry.. That info goes on my spreadsheet.

Slimpikins5, Ill search out a location to hear the Bryston Model T and do some research on them. I've got a 16 foot high vaulted ceiling in my listening room to deal with and have to have the speakers fairly close to the walls too as a limiting factor. 

Glupson, appreciate the heads up on Evolution AV's service.

Charles, I'm very likely to go to the Capitalfest and will ask for you at the Legacy Room if I do. Thanks for the friendly invite.

Co93, good idea to bring my own amp/preamp but I will be retiring them once the speakers and my new turntable are paid off.

Ieales, I'll find those three recordings you suggest and appreciate your candor. I would prefer to listen to vinyl records,at demos, as that is what I have for the most part, although I will tote along some CD's. You seem to be a pretty forthright person. What are some $10,000 speakers would you personally recommend at that price point, and if you want to be even more candid, which of those recommended.above wouldn't make it through your listening test. $10.000 dollars is a significant sum of money for me out of my life savings so I'd appreciate your honest recommend on exact models. Please, be blunt and don't be shy with your specific recommendations. I'd like to hear what you think

I wish I could afford to spend $40,000 at one shot to get a well matched system I could demo at home and have dealers close enough to loan equipment for me to demo at home. There are trade-offs for not living near NYC anymore and not having that type of availbilty is one I have to work around. My first trip(s) will be to rule in the contenders for further listening.and rule out the others. 

I've got my turntatble/cartridge already, as aforementioned, and am trying to match speakers to them as well as possible, having to forgo the electronics to a later date. I will be researching what preamp/amps are recommended to match up well with each speaker demoed during the final cut. I thought about contacting the manufacturers for their recommends in this regard. I read were Magico liked some particular Scandanavian integrated amp to go along with their A3's for example.

I'll try to get speakers matched with equivalent valued equipment. I'm curious to how you would allot your resources if spending $40,000 total.

Ggc, the Devores you recommend are now on the list.

I also recommend Martin Logan  Impression ESL 11A at 10,000$.

It is very attractive speaker with beautiful high and good soundstage.

If you go to its homepage, you can find dealers around Washington DC

https://www.martinlogan.com/en/dealers