How far would I drive?
Not far.
When about to buy my Tekton Moab speakers last year there were a couple in the Seattle area I could have gone to hear them if I really wanted. But the reality is if the speakers are any good at all then I won't really be hearing them. Mostly I will be hearing the other guys gear, which almost always is crap. Honestly was afraid it might even turn me off enough to change my mind.
Same goes for everything else too. Everything else. All you can do by hearing something somewhere else is get some sort of idea what that guys system sounds like. In that room. The way he set it up. Not much help. Not at all.
The only way you stand even the slightest chance is to hear that system and then change or swap out the one component under consideration. Then at least you can say how the one compares to the other. But to think you have any idea at all what it sounds like all on its own? Forget about it.
Videos on the other hand, might seem even worse but via video you can listen to the component in question in a whole bunch of different situations, eventually getting some sort of idea what it sounds like. I did this with Herron, Koetsu, and Tekton. Helluva lot faster and easier than driving all over creation, and actually works.
IF you know how to listen. But if you don't, then how is driving going to work any better, eh?
This is why after spending many years driving around all up and down I5 going everywhere listening to everything now all I do is read reviews and comments and talk and ask questions.
This turns out to work even better than when I was buying everything based on home auditions. Because then it was something like three or four (or more) brought home to audition in order to find the one keeper. Now though it has been a dozen years buying sight unheard with zero returns on components. Only one PHT in all that time didn't work out.
Herron phono stage, Koetsu Black Goldline, Origin Live Conqueror, Tekton Moab, Synergistic Element CTS and Atmosphere Level III, Dayton sub amps and DBA, Townshend Pods, and next up Townshend Podiums. Never heard a one of these before buying. Totally pleased with every single one.
If you think you're gonna drive somewhere and find the Holy Grail, well I was there once myself. I wish you good luck. You are gonna need it.
