Yeah, but the issue is stores can't stay open just to be there to audition. I don't know which country started the audio crazy seems we Americans believe everything here in the US began and in a way it did. The big development after WW2 with all this military tech now got transferred to the public sector. If this is the case the kids from that time period grew up going to the stores and now that custom has almost but disappeared. In 90's and early 2000 there was still a huge car audio scene and now it's nothing a pretty dead market. I don't see those stores anymore in my region of the US. When I was a mobile tech at Best Buy the kids coming in wasting my time just so they could go to eBay and buy it basically ran that part of Best Buy, Circuit City and other chains into closure or not even bothering with that part of the business. These big stores gave the mom and pop shops the choice for customers to get a product installed by myself or go to fancy car audio shop where it was more prestigious and custom fiberglass could be done. Every electronic business effects the others. We created the internet monster and now very few stores. I bet Upscale Audio moved to online to keep from falling to the wolves. For Jeff to keep making product and selling he has to pay each person who works for him the guys who engineered the stuff don't do it out of the kindness of their heart or they would be out on the street. So no more auditioning products for me just buy online and take a chance.Well Stealing is a crime punishable by law. If it's a felony or misdemeanor depends on the value of the stolen "goods"
We surely all agree that going into a store to audition and then ordering online does not classify as breaking the law.
I'm not saying that it's fine behaviour, however that it's not stealing is more of a fact than an opinion.
Car audio was 100% mark up not sure what home audio was back in the day. I bought $1000 Zapco amps for $499 and I was happy as a pig in crap. You guys think I have a lot now man you would think I owned a business. I was a custom installer at a audio shop that was cell phone primary and the car audio side was a hobby for the owner but was I rewarded with dealer price. What does this have to do well I was killing the industry by not paying the overhead of the other business.
The Cable Company is all online so I can't have the enjoyment of going there to audition gear. I don't want to get charged because I broke something at least at the store I am exempt from just things. Also I'm forced to buy from them which makes sense as they keep 5%, so $4000 is $200 which stays in my The Cable Company bank till I buy something which is a good plan hey jeff maybe do the same thing you just need a insurance policy and keep a fair percentage of the money for testing out gear. Have like 2 of everything and keep those as test items you might get more business.
Anyways not having these stores is like one day Disney World closed and the US would crazy like it's Covid of the worlds most famous amusement parks. The general everyday stores in bum **** USA town, people will feel a bit depressed for the older generation but the youngsters won't give two poops or may but will be of that suck, oh well. The gen sucks balls in every category and it's funny I became an older person saying the same things the generations before me said to me.
I think I made a point I have to go test my Fostex TH900 I just modded into Lawton and hear the difference between the Woo WA5 and the Wells Audio Dragon level 2. After that I have to go climb some utility poles and get paid big bucks so I can upgrade my Dragon.
One last thing, I can say with the level 2 to the is level 3 sounds more airy and with more treble sparkle. The 2 is more smoothed out and I don't know if that's the lack of break in. The bass impact sounds the same and just as loud so if that's your thing like my thing get the 2 then save up for the level 3.
Another last thing. If you feel having one amp is not enough get the Dragon and a full tube amp that is 300B power driven with 6SN7 drivers as those are the most available tubes in new and NOS market, I have like a bizzillion tubes for my WA5 LE and it's giving me the options to stay happy with the Dragon as more of a solid state partner, but it is very holographic.
Peace out!
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