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NYC shops

69.120.66.172
Posted on July 16, 2015 at 15:16:32
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 I am planning to visit a few NYC shops next week. Want to find out about some speakers, their sound and the way they are demonstrated and the general behavior of the sales people and their attitude. Peachtree speaker is one I want to listen first. Pity the Elac is not out yet.

Cheers
Bill

 

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RE: NYC shops, posted on July 16, 2015 at 19:01:27
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Bill-

keep me posted on your NYC journey. I plan to visit the city (and shops) next year.

 

Good luck. NYC is a scary place for tyre kickers is my understanding..., posted on July 16, 2015 at 19:31:23
kuma
Audiophile

Posts: 10272
Location: IN
Joined: July 8, 2001
 I am curious how they all score.

Who are on your list?

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 16, 2015 at 21:09:49
genungo
 Dress nicely. Know exactly what you are looking for and exactly how much you are willing to spend and be ready to recite this info rapidly.

 

{{{Dress nicely}}} , posted on July 17, 2015 at 02:05:55
three_sox
 ... I'm sure Bill always dresses 'nicely'.



For me, I will need to remember to wear shoes I guess?



 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 17, 2015 at 03:01:12
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Bill,

which shops are on your list?

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 17, 2015 at 03:57:47
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Can I keep that a secret for the time being? I have travelled 15k miles for this and am curious to know what kind of profiling they do.

I may omit one store that I visited three years back. Had gone there for Peachtree but the guy had never heard of it. He was the dealer!

Cheers

Bill

 

RE: NYC shops - Dont forget right across the river, posted on July 17, 2015 at 04:34:38
fin1bxn@msn.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2215
Location: new jersey
Joined: November 15, 2005
 I think this guy is still in Jersey City, I know he has good set ups..- "No affiliation"

http://www.audiodoctor.com/index.html

 

RE: NYC shops / New Yorkers...., posted on July 17, 2015 at 05:09:47
wangmr
Audiophile

Posts: 2410
Location: Downtown
Joined: November 29, 2012
 best people in the world... once you allow for their high, high, HIGH ethnic pride.

roger wang

 

RE: NYC shops / New Yorkers...., posted on July 17, 2015 at 05:13:16
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Laughing...

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 17, 2015 at 05:14:29
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Cheers Bill-

do know hold anything back, as far as, the shop(s) that treat you well vs. the shop(s) that do not treat you well.

 

RE: NYC shops / New Yorkers...., posted on July 17, 2015 at 05:47:28
wangmr
Audiophile

Posts: 2410
Location: Downtown
Joined: November 29, 2012
 which part of my posting?

roger wang

 

{{{Shoes too}}} (nt, posted on July 17, 2015 at 06:10:06
genungo
 .

 

Are you going to buy?, posted on July 17, 2015 at 07:14:48
Bromo33333
Audiophile

Posts: 3502
Location: Ipswich, MA
Joined: May 4, 2004
 Question -

Are you going to buy? If so, NYC is a wonderful place, but they get a lot of tire kickers, especially walk-ins.

If you are going to buy, call, make an appointment, and be up front with your budget, time frame, etc. That way you will separate yourself from the hoi polloi right away.

Good luck!
====
"You are precisely as big as what you love and precisely as small as what you allow to annoy you." ~ R A Wilson

 

in new york, you don't even need FEET ....., posted on July 17, 2015 at 08:03:43
wangmr
Audiophile

Posts: 2410
Location: Downtown
Joined: November 29, 2012
 but it helps to have a mouth, and a big one too (in chinese, we say 'long tongue' but in the u.s., you say 'big mouth')

roger wang

 

Another possibility, posted on July 17, 2015 at 08:24:04
SamA
Audiophile

Posts: 2902
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: February 12, 2004
 My son and DIL just moved to Gotham (NYC) last week and the first thing he sennt me was a business card from Bright Audio - http://www.brightaudio.com/ - that's just around the corner from their new digs. 202 Avenue A. He told me when I come to visit to bring my checkbook.

Other than that, I don't know anything about them. But son said they were friendly enough.

 

No matter, it's NYC, posted on July 17, 2015 at 08:26:01
genungo
 Think "melting pot". Think long tongues and big mouths working together in perfect harmony.

 

nice work if you can get it..., posted on July 17, 2015 at 09:52:14
wangmr
Audiophile

Posts: 2410
Location: Downtown
Joined: November 29, 2012
 my time in n.y. is that ethnic pride is turned up way too high

 

Last time I was back there . . ., posted on July 17, 2015 at 12:29:31
Brian H P
Audiophile

Posts: 1291
Location: Oregon
Joined: December 18, 2012
 . . . they hadn't heard of Hyphenated-Americans. You were Italian, or Polish, or Irish, or Jewish, or Black, or Greek, or Puerto Rican, or Whatever, and damned proud of it! And you stayed out of each other's neighborhoods after dark.

 

i walked in Harlem shortly after dusk..., posted on July 17, 2015 at 12:49:14
wangmr
Audiophile

Posts: 2410
Location: Downtown
Joined: November 29, 2012
 and they didn't touch my ass.

seriously, the only person to hassle me was some white dude living there and proud of the fact. one black lady wanted a piece of white skin - her vision wasn't too bright - and we joked.

roger wang

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 17, 2015 at 12:49:41
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 About dressing nicely, in the early 1970s, a friend and I hopped into a shop after work in the Wall street area seeing a big Threshold Amp (it was huge) up front. The name of the shop was The Graveyard and Angels were walking around supervised by a Satanic figure. We were taken around the haunted house and everyone was dressed in the most colorful attire and peace signs. We felt totally out of place in our suit and tie.

Cheers
Bill

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 17, 2015 at 13:02:41
Schlep
Audiophile

Posts: 289
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Joined: April 24, 2007
 If you will be renting a car, don't forget about suburban shops - they don't have as much overhead and may be able to give you a little better deal (assuming you find something you love).

Audio Connection is in Verona NJ (maybe 30 miles off the top of my head). They seem to me to be 'down to earth'. I bought a pair of Cary amps and ProAc speakers there about 20 years ago. I still use the ProAcs as my main speakers : )

Good luck with the hunt.


Craig

 

RE: Another possibility, posted on July 17, 2015 at 16:47:42
The Duke
Audiophile

Posts: 536
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 6, 2001
 I sent Bright an email asking if they have on display a certain Wharfedale speaker (they are a dealer). I live nearby and had every intention of making an appointment. No response at all from them. Typical, arrogant NYC salon behavior.

 

RE: Another possibility, posted on July 17, 2015 at 18:02:56
lord addleford
Audiophile

Posts: 1095
Location: new england
Joined: July 5, 2005
 Maybe, the arrogance flows from the use of the word "salon"; these so-called "salons" are 'stores' or 'shops', nothing more or less. With a real name, then, perhaps, the pretensions and arrogance melts away?

 

RE: Another possibility, posted on July 18, 2015 at 03:43:50
HotStamper
 That's pretty funny coming from guys who call themselves "The Duke" and "Lord"

 

RE: Are you going to buy?, posted on July 18, 2015 at 03:56:52
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Should audiophiles discriminate against hoi poloi? Perhaps dealers are not audiophiles?

Cheers
Bill

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 18, 2015 at 04:02:31
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 My son lived near Verona and I had a chance to visit Audio Connection. Good guys, friendly and helpful. They were told I was not buying, yet they spent time with me.

Cheers
Bill

 

RE: {{{Dress nicely}}} , posted on July 18, 2015 at 04:11:57
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Soxie, I just got a new 'Bostonian'. Listening to music I will stretch my legs and the soles will be exposed. Don't want a hole. Have chosen long socks so as not to expose bare legs. Oh the thing one has to be careful about visiting audio dealers.

Cheers
Bill

 

RE: {{{Dress nicely}}} , posted on July 18, 2015 at 06:41:17
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Bill-

let us know when your Audio trek begins, then, ends.

 

RE: Another possibility, posted on July 18, 2015 at 10:21:01
lord addleford
Audiophile

Posts: 1095
Location: new england
Joined: July 5, 2005
 Too bad that you do not grasp the meaning of the phrase 'tongue in cheek', when it applies to a monkiker.

 

Harlem's a WHOLE lot nicer than some areas, posted on July 18, 2015 at 12:58:51
Brian H P
Audiophile

Posts: 1291
Location: Oregon
Joined: December 18, 2012
 From a real estate web site:

The 20 NYC Neighborhoods with Highest Violent Crime Rates

These neighborhoods have the highest rates of violent crime per capita across New York City:

Vinegar Hill (Brooklyn)
Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn)
Theatre District / Times Square (Manhattan)
Meatpacking District (Manhattan)
Koreatown (Manhattan)
Port Morris (Bronx)
Garment District (Manhattan)
Greenwood Heights (Brooklyn)
Hunts Point (Brooklyn)
East New York (Brooklyn)
Ocean Hill (Brooklyn)
Union Square (Manhattan)
Fort Greene (Brooklyn)
Brownsville (Brooklyn)
Bronx River (Bronx)
Navy Hill (Brooklyn)
Mount Eden (Bronx)
Longwood (Bronx)
Mott Haven (Bronx)
Fordham (Bronx)

Brooklyn and the Bronx win hands down. Harlem ain't even on that list.

Don't forget that Harlem was for many decades a cultural Mecca, which drew Black artists and intellectuals from all over the U.S. Great jazz scene ever since the Cotton Club, and after WWII totally eclipsed other cities for modern jazz. To this day, they have the highest number of volunteer community service organizations, parents' clubs, churches, etc. per capita of any neighborhood in NYC.

When I grew up in Flushing, Queens, I went to PS 20 with Black, Jewish, Puerto Rican, Chinese, and many other ethnicities kids. We all got along pretty well -- the tribal divisions didn't really start to kick in until about 8th grade -- but we all lived in dread of the tough little Irish and Italian hoodlums from St. Michael's. They were so oppressed by the nuns all day that as soon as school let out, they were shrugging out of their uniform ties and jackets and looking for public school kids to thump on.

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 18, 2015 at 20:17:55
Matthew G.
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: June 9, 2000
 I've never been to any of the stores that sell Peachtree, but generally speaking, if you call ahead and say what you want to hear, you'll get good service. If you just show up, all bets are off, though I've never been treated rudely.

 

RE: NYC shops, posted on July 20, 2015 at 18:03:09
Jesse
Audiophile

Posts: 578
Location: NYC
Joined: August 17, 2002
 John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona is a great guy to deal with and his dealer is probably the best in the area. Stereo Exchange are not bad either.

 

Well said..nt, posted on July 21, 2015 at 14:42:33
JoeKool
Audiophile

Posts: 896
Location: NYC
Joined: May 9, 2003
 .

 

re enjoying NYC, posted on July 21, 2015 at 17:59:01
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012









Everyone take a deep breath. NYC is ranked 37th for violent crime among cities > 250k population. Myrtle Beach, where my brother lives, has six times the violent crime we do. Yes, there are a few pickpockets who will always work the big tourist areas, like Times Square or the Trade Center, so don't take a nap with your wallet on your lap. The high crime areas are Tompkins Square park and the corner of 157th Street and Broadway (my neighborhood). The few blocks directly north of Central Park (110th - 112th) are iffy. The rest of the city is your oyster.

The 9/11 museum is very much worth it - reserve ahead.

Harlem, btw, is one of the most elegant neighborhoods in the city. While 125th Street is junky, everything around it is pretty amazing. See pics. If you go up there, Sylvia's gospel brunch is fun, even though the food isn't great.

If you have an iphone, get the "exit strategy" app, which gives you all the bus and subway maps. When taking the subway, avoid the express trains; stick with the local trains. The mag stripe card you buy in any subway station covers both. (Buses take coins as well, but that's a nuisance.)

Yes, some audio shops throw off attitude, and they don't get my business. Most are friendly and helpful - you don't survive in a competitive market by driving off customers.

Mandatory: just before sunset, get on the Staten Island Ferry (free). Be at the back of the boat, low level, as you depart. The view of the city rising up behind you is stunning, even to us who have lived here for decades. On Staten Island, just get back on for the return and be at the front to see the nighttime skyline ringed by the bridge lights.

Mandatory: good walking shoes.

Prohibited: eating at any chain restaurant. Check Zagat.com for restaurant reviews. This is foodie paradise - don't waste it.

Tip: when you need a bathroom, go to the conference room level of any hotel.

Music: check out what's going on at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. (You can get a great sounding seat at Carnegie for under $30 to many concerts, and the last row of the balcony has both the best sound in the house, and some leg room.) Also check out the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) the Manhattan School, and Julliard. The NY Phil has some good shows in the next couple weeks. Also check what's going on in Tully Hall and Vivian Beaumont. Jazz at Lincoln Center, which happens in a number of elegant rooms in the Time Warner building, looking out over Central Park, is terrific. The traditional very cramped jazz clubs are worth being squozed in if the show is good enough, which it often is. Town Hall and the Beacon Theater are great venues for singer/songwriter, rock, and jazz perfs. Dozens (hundreds) of clubs, like the Living Room, Cutting Room, Caffe Vivaldi, and Sugar Bar, have great performers every night, often with no cover.

Theater: lots of good options this year. A Gentleman's Guide to Murder is now heavily discounted. "A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night" and "Fun Home" aren't, and are *very* much worth the money. Check out tdf.org for info on the discount tickets booths for same-day sales.

Art: check out the Guggenheim, MoMA, the Neue, the Met, and the Whitney. They all have free days, generally once a week.

Walk the High Line. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Heights promenade - best at night.

Relax. Have fun. Welcome to my town.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: re enjoying NYC, posted on July 21, 2015 at 18:36:49
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Excellent intel- WW.

name those Audio shops to avoid?

 

RE: re enjoying NYC, posted on July 21, 2015 at 19:30:09
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 Actually, I guess it's only Sound by Singer, and it depends on who helps you when you're there. If they have stuff you want to hear, go hear it. FWIW, many shops have to set up specific speakers for auditioning, so if you know what you want to hear, an email or call ahead of time can help. Good luck.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: re enjoying NYC, posted on July 21, 2015 at 19:43:44
genungo
 Someone told me that Sound by Satan closed it's doors a few years back. I guess they were wrong.

 

Cheers fellow New Yorker!, posted on July 22, 2015 at 16:37:42
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8383
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Wonderful to hear from you. I have been in NYC since 1967, City College to Columbia, 122 Riverside Drive to sixties upper east side, Manhattan to Queens to Brooklyn.

Am disappointed with the WTC masterplan. No connection between the Ponds and the new tower. Only Santiago Calatrava's great transportation hub when completed will be an outstanding feature.. I thought the Ponds would have been more emotionally binding if at the centre of it there was a square tower in proportion to the tower which fell to symbolise what had resurrected.

I have been to some of the famous stores many times, like Innovative, Lyric and Stereo Exchange. I am searching for new ones. Have to get permission from the Pulmonologist that it is OK to roam around.

I made a trip on the Staten Island ferry in the 60s. I think I paid a dime then. What a date!

Best Regards
Bill

 

RE: Cheers fellow New Yorker!, posted on July 23, 2015 at 09:59:25
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 790 Riverside here, up in Da Heights.

Yes, the new tower is something of a lump, but then it took me about 30 years to like the twin towers, so maybe it's just a matter of time. I lived near them, and starting about in the late 90's they figured out how to use that big plaza for dances, concerts, and other neighborhood stuff, which made a big difference. We always subjected visitors to the "chamfer" trick: stand facing the building with your body touching it at one of the chamfered corners, and look up. Betcha can't do it. No one could - everyone lost their balance. Kind of a weird neighborhood party trick.

I've had quite a few dealings with Stereo Exchange over the decades, and they have all been good. Nice people, represent their stuff honestly, especially helpful with used gear.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

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