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Reasonable not to be offered a trial on a cart?

Hi everyone. This query is in respect of a cart but applies to any audio component really.
In this day and age it's getting harder to maintain a relationship with a single dealer. I realise this means that approaching a distributor/dealer for the first time means they have no way of knowing whether I'm a timewaster. Often I'll pick up on the buzz of a favoured component, seek it out, and if poss secure a home demo. There's only been a handful of items I've not gone on to purchase.
I have my eye (ear?) on a particular high end cart (I won't reveal it's identity for the time being). However the UK dealer, while happy to audition it in his system, will not consider making it available for home demo, claiming this would be expensive and impractical (understandable considering he is 200 miles from me).
But this I find perplexing-he claims even if it is run in, it won't sound good ie components NEVER sound good listened for the first time in an installation.
Now, I do understand a one off listen of a new component in an alien system may be disorientating, and the cart could hardly be left with me, but surely in the Golden Age of audio, home demos were used as the last stage in clinching a deal to buy the component.
Or am I incorrect, maybe carts never were available for demo.
Any thoughts on the dealer's reticence, and his assertion that all components are likely not to sound of their best when first installed in a system.
spiritofmusic
tketcham
267 posts
 
It shouldn't be surprising that dealers do not allow prospective customers to demo valuable cartridges at home. The risk of damage and cost of repair or replacement is too high. As for the assertion that "components are likely not to sound of their best when first installed", I don't believe this to be entirely relevant. There are certainly some psycho-acoustic effects going on but the component is either going to sound good or it isn't. Whether it sounds its "best" is irrelevant.

If you're interested in a particular cartridge, would you be willing to a "you break it, you bought it" agreement to demo at home? You pay for the cartridge up front and if returned undamaged you get your money back, minus a small fee for wear and tear on the cartridge. To be fair about it. Cartridges wear faster than other stereo components and therefore have a reduced resale value.

Or, why not bring your cartridge (or turntable) to the dealers and make comparisons there? I know that the acoustic environment and components, and thus the resulting sound, will not be identical to your listening room. But if you try to match the components and the room setup as closely as you can to your setup, the RELATIVE differences between your current cartridge and the one you want to compare should give you an idea of how it will sound in your home.

Regards,
Tom
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I agree with Tom. I have had dealers that I've come to know from previous dealings lend me new equipment to try out, but I never heard of anyone lending out a cartridge for trial. The only way I think a dealer would even consider this option is if they had at least a 25% re-stocking fee if returned in excellent condition (since they can no longer sell it as "new"). Also, a "you break it you bought it" understanding. That would balance the risk on both sides I think.

I think cartridges, like most components, settle in over a period of about 100 hours or so. Most that I've heard give you a good idea of their sound right out of the box, but will change slightly over the next 100 hours or so. I have heard a couple of items that have changed significantly with time, but these are in the minority.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
I completely agree with the above comments. Aside from the already mentioned risk of damage, a cartridge that has been loaned out would then have to be sold as a "used" item, and not a "dealer demo" thus significantly (IMO) decreasing it's value. As an aside, and I realize that I may be in the minority, I feel that the asking prices of used cartridges tends to be way too high when one considers all the unknowns and potential for damage from mishandling that may only show up at a considerably later time when there is no longer any recourse.
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