Would you trust a local dealer to help you put

Plus, I would also like to say that of all of the loudpeaker, electronics, and wire manufacturers who I have visited over the past 22+ years, most only had 2 or three brands of other people's stuff in their sound/test rooms. They do not have the ability (time, expense, access) to test even 10% of the current models nor have access to everything produced prior.

Finally, not many, consumers realize that even the best companies utilize consultants, metal fabricators, parts suppliers, pay licensing royalties, share patents, buy other's parts, etc. The product that sits on your shelf with but one brand name or the loudspeaker that sits beside it are a combination of many companies efforts and minds.

Sure, a loudspeaker manufacturer can make several recommendations of amplifiers that will yield positive results with their product but they have likely not experienced the number of pairings that but one of their dealers will experience over the course of a single year.

I realize that you mentioned "audio only" dealers but there are already almost none of those remaining. But you also mentioned the term "large" dealerships and such dealerships, to the best of my knowledge, are not audio only.

No trust yourself.

Seattlehifi, you make many fair points. But as a consumer, let me tell you where I come from. First, as I have said in many other threads, I don't want to waste a salesperson's time. When I was a kid, a buddy and I used to hang out at a local super hi-end shop and shoot the breeze with the owners about audio. We didn't have a lot of money, but we saved and bought a lot of used gear from the shop -- when we could. But this shop didn't make its bucks on selling used gear to a bunch of kid stereo junkies. It was looking for the big fish who were going to drop major bucks on Tympanies, Crown electronics (in the day), Infinity Servo-Statics and so forth. So that's problem #1.

The second problem is that few dealers carry enough gear to showcase in order to do meaningful A/B comparisons between product A vs Product B. Yes, I know of a couple of dealers who showcase Vandies, but not Wilsons, and so forth. So what I'm left with is running from shop to shop, after I have taken up a salesperson's valuable time, trying to make an "informed" call. Yeah -- right. Moreover, being in the business world myself, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that a dealer will sell what its has. So there's goes objectivity out the window. That's problem #2.

The third problem as you said is knowledge about compatibility. The way I have dealt with that issue is to pick a reputable company and stay with its equpment. As you can see from my System description, I'm all ARC with respect to electronics. And by the way, that's no slur on the quality or cross-gear compatibility of other fine manufacturers. For example, over the years, based on my readings and so forth, I've come to greatly respect AtmaSphere gear and Ralph Karsten. Interestingly, I've had a few minor compatibility snafus, e.g., matching a carty with my VPI Classic TT, overloading the outputs of my preamp when trying to drive the amp and a self powered subwoofer. Fortunately, I was able to sort through my little issues with help from VPI, Audio research and Tom Tutay. That's problem #3.

So I'm left in a state of confusion and ignorance. In the end, I read what I can, to and fro with members on AudioGon, and maybe call a manufacturer. But in the end, I take my chances and hope for the best.

Final comments: I like the hobby very much. Yeah, I would like to sit around in a high-end shop, listen to the latest gear, shoot the breeze with my favorite salesperson, and pick up a few pointers. But that just doesn't work given my biases and preferences.

As usuaul, just my opinion.

Bifwynne- before the Internet made it so easy to 'chat,' buy equipment and research stuff, people used to get together in hi-fi clubs, and I suppose some still do. And the regular meetings were just a part of it. You also met others in your area, could listen to each other's systems, swap out different pieces of equipment in a controlled setting with more time and less pressure than in a retail store environment, etc. And, even in the context of more formal meetings, dealers or manufacturers would bring equipment to listen to. It's a good model and one we should try to encourage and support. It requires time, though, and more willingness and effort than sitting in front of a keyboard (not criticizing you by any means, as I sit in front of a keyboard).
There is also alot to be said for 'same manufacturer' synergies within a system.
You are right about the limits of what any given dealer can supply, Seattle Hi-Fi's views notwithstanding. If a dealer thinks, based on his own world view, with the best of intentions, that brand X is the best for a particular product category at a price, that dealer may not be able to help much if you want something else that he/she doesn't carry. Seattle (and perhaps a few other dealers) would be comfortable referring you to another dealer who does carry it. The obvious advantage of a dealer (or a good dealer anyway) is support, knowledge base and in-home trial. That's what you pay a premium for, rather than buying used, from private individuals. But no single dealer can know it all or handle everything.
So, just like many other things, it is on you to do your own research as well.
And, with context, places like this board help too. I'm not sure that just posting a 'what amplifier should i buy' is going to lead to much, because each of us have our own preferences and biases too, but in the context of specific set up questions, technical issues (I got a fair amount of help here when I was doing dedicated AC panel/lines), you can get some solid input from other members who are not trying to sell you anything.

Great points Whart!! I particularly like the audio club idea. And as far as OPs asking for equipment recommendations, unless there's something that jumps out at me as being a problem or as being only fair to make a suggestion, I rarely if ever respond. There's been an OP running for some time about "The Best Speaker" or something to that effect. IMHO, it's a nonsense thread.