Thank Heavens For The Internet World Used/ Pre-Owned High End Audio Market!!!!

Of course it’s left us with precious few HiFi shops to visit, listen to equipment and chat with others eyeball to eyeball. None, in fact, within hundreds of miles from here.  In general, I agree with the OP but miss having 2 or 3 shops in town like many decades ago. 

As a kid  I bough a used HHScott integrated back in 1967 and off I go. I then progressed to an all Adcom system driving Snell C2 speakers all bought used including interconnects and speaker cables.  After decades of flawless use a few years ago I sold that system which funded  used from locals, a Technics SUG 700 integrated amp  and Canton 9k reference speakers.I purchased a new Marantz CD6007 cd player,and since I saved well over 3 grand going used I bought 2 new SVS SB 1000 pro subs to support the Canton speakers. Currently I'm looking for a streamer but in no hurry as I am buying up CDs for a buck each at my local goodwill store all amazing quality.

Totally agree to both the availability of good used higher end gear and the unfortunate demise of brick-and-mortar. 
 

My audio budget has always been limited so I’ve bought very few pieces new. Some of my best finds were in pawn shops. I joined AGon to buy a pair of Quad speakers which changed my audio life. In 50+ years of buying used gear, I was only burned once on eBay - and it was really my fault for not asking more questions. 
 

I’ve also seen the number of “stereo stores” shrink from many across a large metroplex to just two snooty ultra-high end shops. When I was hanging out in audio shops they all had used gear on consignment. I bought some used pieces that way, too. And there was a sales guy who would talk about the gear, who often knew the history of where it came from. The two shops in my area won’t deal with used gear. 
 

Overall, net gain with internet trading, IMO. But I do miss walking into a store and getting to hear different rigs and “educating my ear” to what is possible. 

I absolutely agree. I make most of my purchases on the internet. It’s pretty easy to determine what you want or need with respect to sources and electronics so great to buy used. Speakers and headphones, on the other hand can vary a lot as can personal preference so it’s hard to know if a speaker choice is the right one for you. That’s when brick and mortar stores came in handy.

For example, I recently bought some well regarded planar headphones. Went to a local shop that specialized in high end headphones, and got to try a lot of different ones. What I ended up buying was different than what I thought I was going to buy before I went to the store based on reviews and forum comments so there you go.

There was a well established audio store 2 blocks from my office. They closed probably 20 years ago when many purchasers of consumer electronics turned their focus to multimedia systems.. I bought quite a bit of equipment from them in the day and they were like friends. Anytime I had some spare time I could drop in, have a cup of coffee, and listen to different components at all price levels just for the fun of it. Sometimes they’d say “ you got to hear what these little speakers can do” and they demo some just for the fun of exploring the hobby and the gear in service of the music at all price levels. I don’t think you see that much anymore. Good times!

Thanks @baylinor for the interesting clarification. Nice to know that Mos Generator is based so close. I would venture to a show if possible.