How far would you drive to audition a component?


Taking a poll to get opinions of A'goners. If you were looking to hear a particular component but had no local dealer or the local dealer didn't stock the piece, how far would you be willing to travel to audition it? Many of us don't live in the major metros so I'm just curious to what you think. Thanks for your time.
speeddeacon
I too pretty much only by used anymore, but I have driven 100 miles (one way) to hear speakers in Phoenix.
I drove from Halsey, OR to Depoe Bay, OR (maybe 100 miles) with my New Advents in their original boxes strapped to the luggage rack of my Toyoata MR-2. They really affected the aerodynamics and handling. :-) The buyer drove up from California, but he was there on vacation and to see his parents, so like Chadnliz, I guess that doesn't count.

I also drove from West Point to the southern tip of Manhattan to buy a turntable, and it was one of the most harrowing experiences in my life. That was the one and only time I drove into the city, since I didn't want to tote the unboxed TT onto the subway and train.

It was worth it though; great deal, great turntable.

David
I won an ebay auction for a Salamander synergy twin 30 audio rack in Oklahoma City last month(I live in New Orleans). It stated local delivery only. I got a great price and planned a trip in the Talimena Parkway - a high mountain road in se Oklahoma Kiamichi mountains.
10 hours each way. I also hit up 3 record stores on this weekend trip

Usually I'd keep a trip down to 5 hours one way

Galibier in Boulder Colorado offers airfare trip compensation for those who purchase their turntables.
Sounds like a nice scenario

I'd probably fly to hear a big speaker or amp purchase or do it as a side loop to a vacation. That being said I purchased a pair of Salk HT3's lightlyused - unheard as they had many extra features I wanted and were competitively priced. This turned out really well.

Analog front end purchases - cartridge/arm I've done off of word of gon mouth, I trust those who have done all the legwork. And you can't go wrong with Mehran at Sora Sounds

On the amp end - I am considering a Moscode 401hr
they have a money back 30 day in house trial
that's a nice option to see your own in house synergy
About 3 years ago I drove from Michigan to New Hampshire to buy a pair of Coincident Super Eclipse II speakers. I did this over a two day weekend. I swore I would have the speakers forever. I enjoyed them very much but they only stayed for about 1.5 years. It was an adventure but I was really sick of driving and being in the car that long.
A couple of hours each way is about the limit for me. I've done 4 trips (2 stops on one of them). Only one resulted in a purchase, but the others were well worth the time considering each trip saved me $3-5k on equipment that would not have satisfied me.