Thanks @douglas_schroeder Good points! I guess I'm being a little nostalgic too. I plan to go to the Washington DC audio show this November (my first) and hopefully my first AXPONA next year. I've learned so much by just reading discussions on Audiogon. Thanks for the advice!! :)
Brick & mortar or chains
Lately I've been on a quest to update my audio system. When I purchased my current system over 20 years ago, I bought my equipment at a local brick & mortar store which is long gone now. Back then, we had quite a few audio stores as well as the chains (Circuit City, etc). I can remember going into either one and seeing lots of people looking and listening to receivers, CD players, TTs and so on. Fast forward to 2019---besides the internet, we have one store in town and its not all that. The chains have a tiny a/v section and you rarely see anyone even looking at them. So I've had to drive 2+ hours away to a few stores to listen to equipment---the one place I did buy from was an hour away and the dealer sells out of his house! I've called a few dealers to ask questions and guess what, they weren't home! Sign of the times I guess---I just miss the brick and mortar stores and audio shopping.