Showing Off Your System

[jdandy]

When you have guests, do you enjoy showing off your sound system, or do you just let guests notice the system on their own? Do you demonstrate the system with a few show stopper tunes, or do you just let the system play whatever is on when guests arrive? Do you ever invite people over for the sole purpose of auditioning your sound system?

Just curious what other folks are doing.

[Still-One]

Normally I do not take guests or friends into my 2-channel room. They wouldn't get it and I don't want to fend off the how much does it cost questions.

[JJinID]

Great topic and question Dan...

For me it depends on the guest and their reaction. I have my Zone B downstairs in the living room where the guests are located most of the time, which is run by two channels of my MC207 and my WS350 in-wall speakers and whichever source I choose (usually either my Squeezebox with a pre-determined playlist or if I'm lazy just running one of the Sirius channels off of my Dish network receiver). If there is a reaction to that type of "background" music (which often times sounds very good BTW) or if someone wants to know what is behind the sound they are hearing and the components involved, then they get to take the trip upstairs to the bonus room and can listen to the primary system if they would like. Of course the reaction to that is even more fun since it is at another level when you get the 501s and LS360s involved

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Normally I do not take guests or friends into my 2-channel room. They wouldn't get it and I don't want to fend off the how much does it cost questions.

Jim.......I understand. As unusual as it may seem, I have never been asked by any guest how much my system costs. They were either raised with good manners, or they just don't care. My standard answer for any questions related to my personal expenditures is, "It costs more than I feel comfortable discussing". That generally ends the conversation right there.

I am extremely selective about who comes into my home. Close friends whom I have known for a good length of time are generally welcome, and family members, at least a couple of them. They have to call in advance, or my electric gate will not open for them, and I can't see the gate from the house, so it's not like I would know they are waiting to get in. Beyond that, there are very few others. I like it best when I have solitude and privacy. If I have ten guests a year, I feel almost too busy.

[jdandy]

About a month ago we invited a couple down the road for dinner. They have dinner with us maybe three times a year, and vice versa. This last time over is the first time that any comments were ever made about my sound system, which is always playing, BTW. The husband says to me, "Nice tone". I said, "Thanks", and that was it. There was no further discussion about the sound system, just "nice tone". He just wasn't interested. At their home the sound system consists of DirecTV's easy listening channel playing the best of Burt Bacharach through the TV speakers. That's it.

I guess, sometimes you feel like a McNut, and sometimes you don't.

[JSCC]

Dont usually have guests coming over, rarely. And most times, they dont usually asked cause they are NOT into this hobby. Just the usual "oh nice looking system" ... or "sound good" .... comments!

If ever there is any, most times the SAME individuals who are fellow audiophiles who already knew of my system and purchases history! Most times, each session would lasts like 4 to 5 hours and always we do exchange opinions and observations.

[Sproink]

Upstairs, my equipment is in a closet...out of view...whenever I change a CD or LP the closet opens and if someone asks I'm happy to show and explain the equipment, but usually the comments come as a result of seeing all the music (LPs and CDs in the closet and in adjacent bookcases). During dinners with friends, most of the fun for me is asking what folks want to hear (and chances are that I have it). It's also fun to shake things up with unusual music.

Downstairs in our small music room are two racks behind speakers this is where the conversation meanders from upstairs...from a family member "...if you want to see more equipment, you should see what there is downstairs..."

Like double-stacking books on shelves, there is a subtle sleight-of-hand constantly moving equipment around the house to keep things...interesting.

Now, I have to come up with creative solution for "sneaking" a 130 pound carton into the house

[Masterlu]

I have been known to do a demo or two

If someone unsuspecting visits, undoubtedly they will be drawn into "THE ROOM" and their senses altered for life.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Sproink

Now, I have to come up with creative solution for "sneaking" a 130 pound carton into the house

Sproink.......Just remember this line, "I am sure happy with McIntosh warranty repair. They returned my equipment really fast."

[Masterlu]

That's one of my tricks!