Zellaton/Schnerzinger: Demo Advantage?

[Another Johnson]

There are some recent threads by distinguished forum members that tout Zellaton and Schnerzinger as the latest “last word” in the high end buff’s audio quest.

I’ve known of Zellaton for some time because conradjohnson installed Zellatons several years back as their reference speakers for design listening evaluations and factory demos. At the time Audio Arts was the importer and they were also the flagship CJ dealer.

In early 2024 this thread appeared

ZELLATON Reference loudspeaker installation at the Conrad Johnson factory

For all CJ fans (which are happily plentiful), wanted to share my installation of the Zellaton Reference loudspeakers with a full Schnerzinger wiring loom at the CJ listening room in Virginia. Pictured is an Art 27a being tested at the facility. Gideon Schwartz www.audioartsnyc.com Author of...

www.whatsbestforum.com

So I’ve assumed that CJ is using the Zellaton and Schnerzinger magic in their factory showroom demos.

My questions are these:

1. If the Z/S magic is so incredible that forum owners gush about them as the final resting place in their quest, and other hobbyists confirm their wonder, is it fair to use them when the customer’s goal for a demo is to learn about the sound of just an amp or preamp?

2. Would the same Z/S magic obtain were the electronics and room mediocre rather than world class?

3. Are these really rhetorical questions?

 

[GSOphile]

I have had similar questions when visiting showrooms demoing electronics with cables costing in the neighborhood of the individual pieces on demo - cables I would never entertain buying. The usual answer is that they want to demonstrate the piece as close as possible to its best advantage, potential. Understandable, but also a consideration.