As others have said... it may not be realistic to expect any audio dealer and their staff to be so experienced that they might be able to advise the customer in how well all components match, or how all compare to others.
In addition, they’ve selected the brands they carry for a reason, whatever that may be, and it is in their best interest to present the brands they offer and the respective components in the best combination they are able to present - to attain the best sound they can to please the customer.
I’ve found few dealers and their staff aware of how well their components sound compared to the many, many available - especially, the "boutique" components out there, at bargain pricing, which compare very favorably to the major brands (which most dealers carry), or which actually "leave them in the dust."
On several occasions, at well known dealers, I’ve auditioned major brands (e.g. Harbeth, Revel, Golden Ear, Monitor Audio, Magnepan, NAD, Mark Levinson, etc., etc.) which have glowing reviews, but which fall far short of the sound quality of others they don’t carry (which often cost far less, are lesser known, or may be "boutique" brands). Nor, do they present those major brands with the best matched components to present their products in their best form (this is often the case with Maggies, which can sound incredible with the right combination of electronics, but not as well with many major brands). I assume they do so, because they can’t offer the brands, which best match, and must restrict their demos to those brands they offer, or they’re just ignorant of the best combinations of components (e.g. impedence matching, etc.). It doesn’t matter, they’re left with trying to sell the customer those brands they have. It’s unreasonable to expect them to "educate" the customer in the best combinations of components, if they don’t carry those brands. If they did they might not be in business long.
And... I've found... that the brands with some of the best sound quality (from an "audiophile" perspective), do not have many dealers in the US, if any (e.g. Nola, Legacy, Gamut, LaHave, Atma-sphere, etc.), or may only be sold direct to consumer (e.g. DC10Audio, Wavetouch Audio, Linkwitz Audio, Magnestand, DecWare, AudioKinesis, ClassDAudio, etc.).
Moreover, not every customer’s taste in sound quality is the same - some like "big bass," or "mellow, smooth" sounds, while other’s prefer the most resolution, clarity and definition they can find (though some, might consider that type of sound harsh, strident or fatiguing).
And still other customers will only buy the "big name" brands, despite their premium prices, over "boutique" brands, at much, much lower prices - not because they offer the best sound quality, but because they are the most well known, and are easiest to sell in the after-market.
So... many find... that it is most likely unrealistic to expect any dealer to be able to offer them the best combination of components available, or to even be able to discuss them. They may be able to do so, only in the context of those they offer. This is especially true of Home Theater dealers, who often "don’t have a clue," regarding the best quality sound from an "audiophile" perspective - it’s not in their interest, since most Home Theater brands don’t offer that.
I’ve found that I’ve been able to "sleuth out," some of the best sound available, and at bargain prices... only... by lots and lots of research on forums like this... and... by personal demos of "boutique" brands. I’ve found that by seeking out those who are widely experienced in "big name" brands, as well as "boutique" brands (which most dealers have never heard of), that I’ve been able to find some of the best sound available at any price, and usually at bargain prices. Though, there is some risk in doing so. And... you’ll always run into those forums, which are dominated by those like the "crew" on AVSforums, which are totally ignorant of "boutique" brands, and think that you only find quality sound in the "big name," HT brands (which, of course, is not true).
So... if... you’re an obsessive, compulsive "audiophile," there may be no alternative, but to "do your homework."
In addition, they’ve selected the brands they carry for a reason, whatever that may be, and it is in their best interest to present the brands they offer and the respective components in the best combination they are able to present - to attain the best sound they can to please the customer.
I’ve found few dealers and their staff aware of how well their components sound compared to the many, many available - especially, the "boutique" components out there, at bargain pricing, which compare very favorably to the major brands (which most dealers carry), or which actually "leave them in the dust."
On several occasions, at well known dealers, I’ve auditioned major brands (e.g. Harbeth, Revel, Golden Ear, Monitor Audio, Magnepan, NAD, Mark Levinson, etc., etc.) which have glowing reviews, but which fall far short of the sound quality of others they don’t carry (which often cost far less, are lesser known, or may be "boutique" brands). Nor, do they present those major brands with the best matched components to present their products in their best form (this is often the case with Maggies, which can sound incredible with the right combination of electronics, but not as well with many major brands). I assume they do so, because they can’t offer the brands, which best match, and must restrict their demos to those brands they offer, or they’re just ignorant of the best combinations of components (e.g. impedence matching, etc.). It doesn’t matter, they’re left with trying to sell the customer those brands they have. It’s unreasonable to expect them to "educate" the customer in the best combinations of components, if they don’t carry those brands. If they did they might not be in business long.
And... I've found... that the brands with some of the best sound quality (from an "audiophile" perspective), do not have many dealers in the US, if any (e.g. Nola, Legacy, Gamut, LaHave, Atma-sphere, etc.), or may only be sold direct to consumer (e.g. DC10Audio, Wavetouch Audio, Linkwitz Audio, Magnestand, DecWare, AudioKinesis, ClassDAudio, etc.).
Moreover, not every customer’s taste in sound quality is the same - some like "big bass," or "mellow, smooth" sounds, while other’s prefer the most resolution, clarity and definition they can find (though some, might consider that type of sound harsh, strident or fatiguing).
And still other customers will only buy the "big name" brands, despite their premium prices, over "boutique" brands, at much, much lower prices - not because they offer the best sound quality, but because they are the most well known, and are easiest to sell in the after-market.
So... many find... that it is most likely unrealistic to expect any dealer to be able to offer them the best combination of components available, or to even be able to discuss them. They may be able to do so, only in the context of those they offer. This is especially true of Home Theater dealers, who often "don’t have a clue," regarding the best quality sound from an "audiophile" perspective - it’s not in their interest, since most Home Theater brands don’t offer that.
I’ve found that I’ve been able to "sleuth out," some of the best sound available, and at bargain prices... only... by lots and lots of research on forums like this... and... by personal demos of "boutique" brands. I’ve found that by seeking out those who are widely experienced in "big name" brands, as well as "boutique" brands (which most dealers have never heard of), that I’ve been able to find some of the best sound available at any price, and usually at bargain prices. Though, there is some risk in doing so. And... you’ll always run into those forums, which are dominated by those like the "crew" on AVSforums, which are totally ignorant of "boutique" brands, and think that you only find quality sound in the "big name," HT brands (which, of course, is not true).
So... if... you’re an obsessive, compulsive "audiophile," there may be no alternative, but to "do your homework."