I'd like to point out that, at least for Brick 'n Mortar stores that I've visited lately, there's a big difference between 'high-end' and 'audiophile'.
Many of these stores are nothing more than a place for those concerned with one-upping their family and friends to buy large, expensive-looking HT systems, without any concern for whether the gear is actually the 'best' at what it does. The price tag alone is what sells the gear. Of course, if they can claim that reviewer 'X' from some Audio/HT magazine reviewed the gear as being the best in the universe, then that just gives these clueless snobs more motivation to buy.
I have one of these 'upscale' retailers in my area, as well as one true Audiophile dealer. The upscale dealer likes to imply that you can't assemble a decent system for less than 40 grand, while the Audiophile dealer has managed on at least one occasion to assemble a two-channel rig that bettered every system I've ever heard at accurately reproducing the recorded event; at a total cost of 8 grand.
I do confess to enjoying pointing out the flaws in the 'upscale' retailer's reference system though. :)
Many of these stores are nothing more than a place for those concerned with one-upping their family and friends to buy large, expensive-looking HT systems, without any concern for whether the gear is actually the 'best' at what it does. The price tag alone is what sells the gear. Of course, if they can claim that reviewer 'X' from some Audio/HT magazine reviewed the gear as being the best in the universe, then that just gives these clueless snobs more motivation to buy.
I have one of these 'upscale' retailers in my area, as well as one true Audiophile dealer. The upscale dealer likes to imply that you can't assemble a decent system for less than 40 grand, while the Audiophile dealer has managed on at least one occasion to assemble a two-channel rig that bettered every system I've ever heard at accurately reproducing the recorded event; at a total cost of 8 grand.
I do confess to enjoying pointing out the flaws in the 'upscale' retailer's reference system though. :)