How to audition amps?

Well, you seem to have ruled out the only two options as far as local dealers go. The other is to find a used one, or borrow locally from a private party. Some manufacturers sell direct with a 30 day return option - Outlaw is the best known, but I think the upcoming Emotiva (do a search here) is another. Threshold sells direct now, and may allow a try it period. They make great amps. At the higher end, Coda-Continuum has a sell direct and return program also, and their amps are among the best. And there is always Bryston. Buy any used Bryston amp with its no-questions 20 year transferable warranty, and if you don't like it sell at little or no loss. Audiogon is a great place to buy/sell used audio gear on-line.

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I get great enjoyment out of buying used equipment and listening to it. Unfortunately I'm far better at buying it than selling it. My basement is beginning to look like a pawn shop.

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What are you waiting for? Get those things out there on the market. If it helps, Videogon is a new sister site to Audiogon and their ads are free for an indefinite startup period. You can sell audio gear there as well as video.

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I don't have this problem, because all my extra stuff ends up in the garage.


Someday I'm gonna sell it...

 www.avahifi.com

www.odysseyaudio.com


Both have generous return policies, but you'll be out round trip shipping, I think.

What are your speakers? Do you have any local dealers that have your speakers in stock? Goto these ones and listen to the amps to hear how they sound. Then goto the other dealers in your area and listen to the amps they have. Research the internals of the amps your interested in and make a decision.


Kevin

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I occasionally put stuff up on audiogon or vidiogon. Sometimes it sells, and sometimes I guess I don't want to sell it bad enough.

kevin w,


My speakers are Revel Gems and the Voice for center channel. I don't understand what you mean by "research the internals." Could you expand on that? Thanks.