One simple but effective way I have found to test hi-fi is to have it
playing a recording, and then have a microphone positioned in an ideal
location recording the output.

With really high end stuff, the recording will be indistinguishable from
the
original, but of course there is degredation directly related to the
speakers/amps, ...........................

Duh??

I would like to see the exchange if someone turned up with anechoic pads,
B&K, test tones etc. to check out the latest micro system in Curries sale.

eg