Idea: Local members speaker swap / Speaker library

[howarehugh]

Hi crew, this may be ridiculous or may already be a thing...

I am wondering if there'd be an appetite for a local 'short-term swap' register. Anyone interested lists some gear they're willing to swap for a short time (a week?) and then if they see something they'd like to try on the register in return, they can offer a swap.

Could be a fun way to meet new friends with common interests in person:
Swapper A hosts the first trade..."come and check out my record collection"
Swapper B hosts the return delivery..."check out my monoblocks"

Maybe your swap partner is someone you've floated around for ages in the forum but never had a good chat?

The idea came to me as I was thinking I quite like my boring speakers, but it'd be great to dip the toe in on something different with a little swap, rather than have to buy before you try. It wouldn't have to be long enough to fall truly in love, just long enough to know if you were on the right track with that style/brand/format.

All trade options would be public so clear to see who owns what, and perhaps you must be a long time member with a certain positive score (yes I know I wouldn't qualify).

A speaker library with some great speakers to take home for a 'read'

(I know good hifi stores will let you try it at home but there's so much cooler stuff here than in any hifi stores!)

That's my mad idea. Cheers!

Hugh

[Grimmie]

Yeah, I like the idea. It would foster some great friendships and show alternative pathways to prospective upgraders or sidewinders. The trust factor would have to be enormous though, imagine allowing someone to have a piece of your equipment that may have cost four or five figure sums, in their possesion for what, a month? I once was tempted to borrow a MC cartridge from a local friend but when he reminded me that it would cost me 2 and a half grand if broken (and those cantilevers are positive finger traps) I backed away. It's bad enough doing that on your own stuff, and I should know.

 

A corner chunked off a Wilson speaker while relocating, a four year old finger poked through the tweeter of an SNA members beloved Magico's!!! it makes me shudder to think.

 

Would insurance be available for that kind of thing?

[Grimmie]

Sorry to be mostly negative in the above I really do think it would be a helpful process. Plenty of members could have their eyes opened as to the deficiencies of their gear or indeed find they are not missing out after all. A cure for the FOMO and upgraditis.

[gemini07]

I think it would be a great way to experience variety in your own home while building trust with like-minded people. It's worked for me in the past.

 

@howarehugh you're welcome to get the ball rolling at my place if you'd like to come around.

[DazzS]

You could call it the Stereo Swingers Club