it-goes, no, that isn't the situation. There have been exceptions when I've tested new products for Schoeps, a handful of times in 40 years, but I don't like the feeling of being a mooch. Plus I'm biased in favor of Schoeps enough as it is, don't you think? I generally buy any new Schoeps equipment from Posthorn Recordings at the same prices that everyone else pays. Otherwise, I either buy second-hand or not at all.
I'm in the same boat as a lot of other people here: There are items I covet, but it just isn't reasonable (or in some cases possible) for me to spend so much on sound equipment, especially now that I don't make my living as a recording engineer any more. I would gladly buy an RCY (or preferably, one RCY 700 and one RCY 1200) except that they cost nearly $1500 apiece--and I wouldn't have anything to connect them to, since I don't own a VST 62 two-channel amplifier (ca. $1750) or a Colette Y-cable that would let me attach a pair of CMC amplifiers (ca. $900).
And if I did have those things, of course I would also want a KCY cable (~$850) to go with them, no?
But instead, I foolishly squander my money on the mortgage, or traveling to see my new grandbaby, paying down what various credit card companies claim that I owe them, and occasionally seeing a movie or a play (or sometimes a movie of a play--I'm very eager to see Joss Whedon's new Shakespeare movie).
--best regards