Would you pay to listen?

Call me jaded but I doubt any system can make my "jaw drop" anymore. And besides, their are a few dealers in town that display super hi-end systems. All I have to do is walk in and pop on some music, at least that has been working. Unfortunately, they are teeming with customers.

The problem as I see it is that no amount of dollars invested in a system guarantees the owner knows how to set assemble the elements and set it up properly...not to mention the issue of personal taste.

Any wealthy goof ball can buy a million dollar system that ultimately sounds like crap. I've heard enough expensive systems to know that high cost doesn't necessarily translate to good sound.

Nope. Not gonna pay $20 to find out what's in the fun house.

On another note, just ponying up the money would put a damper on things, at least for me. That $150K system I mentioned might not sound so good had I paid $20 every time I've heard it. I'd be in for a C note by now and that alone would eat at me.
Having said that, it is one damn fine system that I've not heard bettered at any audio show (not that I've been to many) or at anyone's home (same caveat as before). It simply sounds so good that trying to analyze it would be a waste of one's time.
After hearing his system, mine comes down that ladder of abstraction a few rungs, comparatively, but after a song or two, all is well.
Is it worth the extra $145K?
No.
Could I get closer but at a saner price?
Maybe.

I would pay to spend time with a MBL 101E system.