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It seems that so many posts are complaints. How about some posts about positive experiences? I already posted raves about Audio Connection and John Zimmerman in Seattle. How about some good vibes from other inmates who really *like* their dealers??I also have had good dealings over the years from Chad and Acoustic Sounds.
Lastly I have had great service and advice from Tubemonger, and Ed Sawyer. (not really a dealer, but a good NOS tube source for sure).
Follow Ups:
A few good dealers:Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. I agree with other posts here. John Rutan is terrific, and so is Carlos. They allowed me to take home a factory sealed pre-pro to A/B with another pre-pro in my home. The pre-pro from Audio Connection lost the shootout, and they took it back graciously. I also bought a cartridge there, a low-priced Ortofon, which their tech mounted perfectly to my Thorens TT. I wish I could drop more $ there.
Another great dealer in NJ is Audio Nexus in Summit. I bought my Vandy speakers and Rotel CD player there. Despite the fact that these were both entry-level products, they allowed me extended auditioning sessions with no pressure whatsoever.
One mail order dealer I'd recommend is NextLevelAV.com. They offer some brands I cannot find locally, are extremely easy to work with, and discount generously.
We discuss all the manufacturers I'd like to have some discussion about dealers on a more regular basis. Where they are, what brands they carry, whether they have a decent sounding demo room, how are the prices, etc.
Jim Kean at Audio Essence in Kennesaw, Georgia is very knowledgeable, patient,honest and has a great ear to boot.
Do you know if Jim Kean has an email address or if Audio Essence has a website?I believe he used to sell Clements speakers and I'd like to ask him a question about them.
Thanks for any hints or suggestions.
nt
Only one dealer rather close to me in Central NJ that has limited store stock and not much in the way of a return policy or trial for equipment one is interested in.
I would have to give a shout out to the guys at Definitive (Craig, Craig, Dennis, Kevin..etc). They give great deals and Craig went out of his way to get my WatchDog serviced. They're a great bunch to work with!
I have been a very happy customer of Audionut in Glendale, AZ (a suburb of Phoenix).Bob and his staff are very knowledgable. Top notch selection of gear, and he treats his customers as friends.
No pressure to buy, and happy to recommend equipment at any pricepoint.
He also helps find buyers for your used gear.
HIGHLY recommended.
I've done a lot of business with the Nut, he's a great guy. He's working on a new (and much larger) store to open later this year, that should be pretty spectacular.
Jeff at High Water Sound in NY. One of my best hifi buying experiences ever. Great guy and gear. Lots of knowledge with gear and music.
although I've never had an opportunity to deal with him - mostly because I'm in Alberta and he's somewhere out around Chicago - but I did hear that that Brian guy (I think that's his name) is an outstanding fellow indeed.
Perhaps someone who's dealt with him could confirm my impressions but like I said, I heard he was a good one - for an audio dealer that is.
jac - desperaudio
Brian Walsh is a man of the absolute highest integrity.I know of an instance in which he had the opportunity to pocket a large sum of money and save himself a lot of hassle because of a very unusual circumstance. No one would have questioned it - probably no one would have even known about it. Yet I don't think keeping the money ever even crossed his mind.
Thanks, Duke. I could say the same of you.The 'very unusual circumstance' is one I wouldn't wish on anyone yet is one I'll always remember. Hindsight being what it is, it was the right thing to do.
Best regards,
Codell Audio in Montreal, Izzy the owner, has always made me feel welcome despite only minor purchases over the years.
Cheers
in Midtown was my favorite spot in the 80s and 90s. That listening room--heaven! George Merrill always had something interesting going on. I live too far away now to visit the new store, so I don't really know how it compares with the old place.
A great guy who's helped a lot us ascend the High End Mountains.
Item I bought from Toys from the Attic was damaged in shipping
Poor packaging (did not meet minimum standards for even
non-fragile items) No record of claim fom UPS (was told by TFA
that they had filed claim) Watch out!!
Len, who sells 6SN7s out of his garage in AA.
Bob Neill of Amherst Audio.
Gold Sound in Denver.
Audio Consult in Copenhagen.
Brent Jesse, another tube dealer.
Drew at Moon-Audio.
A guy in New York City, called Alan the Audio Elf! (I think)
At one time an ARC and Apogee dealer forced by area demographics to shift his emphasis to HT and quality mid-priced lines. Combines an excellent ear with technical fluency and a go-out-of-his-way-for-you service attitude. And someone I can trust to repair anything I might have to bring to him.
Oh, you mean AUDIO dealers. Never mind.
Both offer (1) low-key salesmen (never pushy) who really try to help customers and (2) top-notch after-sales support.
Van L. Speakerworks, Chicago, IL - great guy to deal with, knowledge, advice, reasonable prices...Hollywood Sound, FL, Larry is real gem, helpful, knowledgeable, no BS guy, and of course reasonable prices .
Saturday Audio, Chicago, IL - Don't know names, but several guys there are very good, knowledgeable and helpful, some so-so. Great prices though. Missing their Evanston store though.
Audio Consultants, Evanston, IL, and
ProMusica, Chicago, IL, everyone was knowledgeable and helpful.
Sent my cd player to Kyle Takenaga for an clock upgrade. After th install I get a call saying there is some hi end distortion going on. He went so far as to order tubes to see if that were the probelm, switch power supply caps, switch resistors and do two or three other tests to locate the problem all upon my request. While he was unable to determine just what was wrong he asked for nothing for his time, effort and bought parts (even after I insisted he at least charge something for his time).So here is a public Thank You - Kyle
Kyle is a great guy and always has time for me when I call. He's done a couple of players for me, and if I ever need anything else, he's the guy I'm going to.
These guys carry some of the most expensive gear including Levinson, Accuphase, Boulder, Wilson, etc. and a good mix of more affordable stuff.They have never pressured me to buy and let me play with all their cool toys unsupervised as much as I want.
Audio Unlimited is also a huge sponsor and supporter of the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest with some of the best rooms for auditioning equipment and music.
I've purchased various items from John and Carl over the years including CJ, Magnum Dynalab, Tannoy, Arcam, and a couple others.
Amen to John and Carl!!! I lived in Denver for 10 years and they were always gentlmen when I visited. I did buy a few things from them and I still get their newsletters, which I somehow enjoy.
As an invitation. I don't know if it has anything to do with the magazines I subscribe to or if I'm on a mailing list from prior purchases made elsewhere, they're persistent though.I can throw a vote in for a few dealers in my area, namely...
1. Audio Consultants, Evanston, Libertyville, etc. lines are listed in Stereophiles add... you buy here, you pay full retail, but good people, very committed to customer satisfaction, one on one catering.
2. Quintessence Audio, Morton Grove, Mick says he usually places in the top 5 at CES for system setup, Audio Research, Vandersteen, Plinius, Burmester, Avalon Acoustics, Audio Physics, Rogue,Theta etc...
3. Columbia Audio/Video, McIntosh, Dynaudio, Meridian, Mirage, Great place for Home-theatre gear..
4. Celestial Sound [ now gone]Ricardo was a great guy that always allowed me full access as well yet turned bitter towards the end, not sure what happened, but got my first experience with Plinius gear hear..
Hows your best friend Abe, sometime back Id read your thread and your 4-legged buddy was down, its my hopes hes on the road to recovery. Many times I miss my Sable colored Collie, I think of him often. Lost him sometime back.
Regards,
/// Tim W. ///
..........and have never set foot in Audio Unlimited or done on-line business but I think I did call them several years ago.I get them about 3 times a year though....not that I mind :-)
Cheers,
Their fliers are often invites to open house events at Audio Unlimited with various listening room setups and manufacturers reps present to talk shop.Elvis is doing much better and presently undergoing periodic chemotherapy treatments. The root problem is lung cancer. We are only on treatment cycle 1 of 3, with each cycle being about 5 weeks. And no, he never smoked. Kids ask me that question. ;-) Thanks.
Good to hear Elvis is doing well Abe, my hopes for you and Elvis are that it continues along the same path. Pets, primarily dogs really do set a fine example of that term "unconditional love".They really are mans best friend. All my best...
Regards,
/// Tim W. ///
Absolutely! These guy's are a class act.
STEREO UNLIMITED - Bruce and his crew offer top brands, several listening rooms, home auditions, and remain a big supporter of vinyl (one entire room dedicated to new and used records). They host San Diego Music and Audio Guild meetings.
STEREO DESIGNS - Steve and his staff also offer top brands (different selection) and several listening rooms.
JEFF'S SOUND VALUES - Jeff seems to always have a big selection of used gear, along with a more limited number of new brands. Also hosts SDMAG meetings.I've purchased from all three over the years and must say they are all like friends as well as dealers. There are other good dealers in the metro area as well (check yellow pages if visiting) but these three are my recommended starting points.
AUDIO DIRECTIONS - it may not help much to talk about a store that has been out of business for so long but Ike and Roger set the standard. Most top brands at the time (70s), do-it-yourself clinics, started San Diego Audio Society (also now defunct) and brought in many of the top designers of the time for presentations. They were enthusiasts that also happened to sell equipment (which, by the way, was not their reason for closing).
Was "Audio Dimensions" the name of the little magazine that Ike Eisenson published?
There were two businesses. The retail store was Audio Directions. They also offered a number of modification kits and parts sold through Audio Dimensions. Their magazine, I suppose because it focused on mods and upgrades, was distributed through Audio Dimensions. The mag was called "Audio Update". I believe that was a spin-off from their "tu-be or not tu-be" manual for modifications, therefore suggesting updates.Ike and Roger started the business, then after a couple of years Roger left. Ike carried on for another year or two but after he departed, I don't believe it survived even one year. Their store played a major role in my developing interest as an audiophile.
Ike was not an engineer or educated designer. He was an enthusiast who constantly pushed for ideas to improve components, new and old. His role was to serve as a "clearing house" for these ideas from other amateurs, something he did prior to opening Audio Directions/Dimensions. Once the store was established, he hired one or two techs who were more knowledgeable and better able to edit the mods that Ike collected. From a few other local friends who are knowledgeable in electronics, Ike sometimes suggested mods that were detrimental to stability or performance. At least in the beginning.Ike's mom ran the office for both businesses. After Ike left to "go walkabout" (as our friends from Oz would say), she attempted to carry on the business but it did not last long.
Audio Directions/Dimensions was a wonderful resource. Not only for those of us who lived close by but across the fruited plain to those Audio Update subscribers like Jack.
Ike was da man!If only more manufacturers would have used his circuits, rather than the application engineer circuits, found in the back of tube manuals, etc.
One can only imagine where the magazine would be today, if still in print.
Lovely old dear-nothing much got passed her!I still reckon their "Seemungal passive Tube RIAA Stage" was the best phono stage ever created--well to my ears anyway!
Good times ,
I don't even live in San Diego anymore (born and lived there 40 years and moved away 15 years ago) and I've purchased from the dealers you mention. I currently buy over the phone from Jeff and purchased a pair of Mission 70's from Stereo Design almost 20 years ago.
honest even when it costs him $. incredible prices and the best experienced advice.
If you live in the Cincinnati area these guys are the best...Highly recommended.
Aris Audio in Salt Lake City. Scott Haver is very knowlegeable and helpful--I had a difficult warranty issue with an item and Scott bent over backwards to help. According to the Plinius rep, Scott is the largest Plinius dealer in the US.www.arisaudio.com
I am not the type of person that a high end store likes. I don't have lots of descretionary capital, but these guys have never cared and have always helped. I have some Paramours that would not drive my speakers so I went looking. They set me up in a room with my amps and let me try any speaker they had in stock! They even came in and listened to the various combinations. Ultimately I did purchase a pair of speakers from the and a cartridge both of which were on sale. Sorry for the long post, but brevity is not in my vocabulary.Terry
I really like the guys in there, have always had good experiences. That cannot be said for another shop in the area I won't mention.
-Fish
The other shop in the area.....you mean that starts with the letter "G".I have been to every shop along Woodward many, many, many, many times and thats the only shop I went to once, gave them a second chance and will never go back to again, nor refer anyone too.
.
...The Sound Shack in a strip mall in Ft. Pierce, Florida? I don't remember them well but I do remember that I was 16 and they treated me well, which is saying something. I bought my first decent pair of speakers there in about 1980--Polk Audio Monitor 7B. Still got 'em.
Great posts ... I live in the Balt-DC area, don't see any posted from around here ... there are several but have never seen posts about them, except for Deja Vu, which always gets good marks. The Listening Room in Baltimore is another good one, if don is still there ... from what I understand Soundworks is not a popular place but then that was heard from one disgrunteled guy about 5 yerass, ago, culd be different.What are the good Balt-DC-VA places?
Great folks. Very nice for nearly all budgets.
Sorry that my first post is not a positive one, but buyer beware at Stereo Unlimited in Walnut Creek. I charged $4600 for a modified system (on behalf of my parents) which was not in stock. I called first thing the next morning when my parents could not get comfortable with the price. David Hare, the proprietor said that he would credit my card. After multiple calls (probably 10-20) I was finally called by Stereo Unlimited, 67 days later, to be informed that my card had been credited. A week later I received an invoice from Mr. Hare which itemized my credit. Mr. Hare charged me a 15% restocking fee, or almost $700. This is for a system that I never received or was never in stock! I also believe that he waited 67 days to refund me because credit card companies do not take on disputes beyond 60 days (typically). There is more to this story but I just wanted people to beware. I have been a customer of theirs for several years. No more.
(nt)
Helpful service.... LP friendly.
I would second Experience Audio. I have had nothing but great experience with Tim. From helping me in equipment auditioning, helping pick equipment that fits my room limitations and listening preferences, letting me do home auditions and visiting my home to help me maximize setup. Could not ask for a better dealer!
Fantastic people (Chad and Phillip, I believe) and a great selection of vinyl and equipment. I have been there at least a dozen times and every time they have been friendly and helpfull.
Good folks for sure, gear choice is ok I mostly special order from them.John at Specialized Sound in Madison WI is also good, gear choice is same old, big amp- B&W dealership but John knows alot and is very helpful.
Friendly people, especially Ben. I have purchased loudspeakers and cables there. They don't seen to display the variety of products that they used to show, but I am encouraged when the "Open" sign is on whenever I drive by. I try to stop in a couple of times a year. I hope they remain viable.
It's amazing to find out a store in this business has been around this long. When I was a graduate student in Madison in the '60s, I was a frequent visitor. They even called me up when a new piece of gear came in to evaluate it along with them. I bought my second AR 3 speaker in 1964 there (when I could finally afford the second one). I'm sure none of the same people are around, and it must have changed hands several times, but it was a superb store back in those heroic days of audio.
their server issues
The Audio shop in Ottawa Canada. Marc is a very nice guy and my online purchases with them have always been fair and swift.Bricks and mortor stores, Audio Video Unlimited stores in the Greater Vancouver/Lower mainland area of B.C.. Good choices in good gear and good service and prices.
Though limited in my experience I also had good luck with Etronics from the NY USA.
`
Creston Funk @ Concert Sound in Austin TX
Dave & Alma Wilson @ Accent On Music in Mt. Kisco NY
Highly recommended.
I haven't dealt with him in person but I recently bought an item from him after speaking with him on the phone. Excellent transaction in every aspect. Definitely recommendable.
n/t
I have posted before about AUDIO ADVICE in Raleigh, NC. I have been buying from Leon Shaw and Randy Cribb since 1984. The support I and others have gotten from them is outstanding. The repair service (when needed) is great and they love to loan units for short periods knowing full well that you will be hooked before you bring it back.They also have greatly increased the custom install home theater, but still have a full retail salon. This hobby need more dealers like this.
..........is one of the few High End dealers left that really care. Home trials are what he supports as he knows that is THE only way to really evaluate a prospective component.John Ashman @ Audio Design, also in Albuquerque, has been a long time friend and another who is truly interested Hi Fi and will go out of his way to either shoot the shit or just let U roam the store in a welcome manner.
Lee at Cryo Parts is one helluva gentlemen and is always ready with a kind word and helpful mannerisms.
John Cohen from Locus Design Group is a true gentleman and is always ready and willing to answer questions and treat everyone as though they are THE most important client of the day.
Cheers,
~kenster
............."John Cohen from Locus Design Group is a true gentleman and is always ready and willing to answer questions and treat everyone as though they are THE most important client of the day."That should have been Joseph Cohen, not John.
Cheers,
I'll second the vote for the boys here in Albuquerque!!!
Bob Neill at Amherst Audio. Brian Rovinsky at St. Cecelia Sound Gallery. Matt at Pitch Perfect Audio.
Brian used to be in the SF Bay area before he moved to Florida, and I can say I have never dealt with any other audio dealer as professional, attentive, patient, and helpful as he was to me. An example: he was a JM Reynaud dealer, and I was interested in their Grand Operas. He din't have them, but went to considerable effort to get a pair (these were not commonly-available speakers) and had me take them home for as long as I wanted to for evaluation. I decieded they were not for me, and he cheerfully welcomed me back for repeat visits to listen to other things. He sent home preamps and amps with me to evaluate and was unfailingly genuine in his interest in attempting to find gear that I liked. I was very sorry that I ultimately never bought anything from him before he moved away, but it wasn't his fault. The right piece of equipment just didn't hit me at the right time.
He has been very, very helpful in helping me set up my used turntables and used tone arms, (even though they all were bought used from private owners on either Ebay or Audiogon), rather than from his store.(And remember 4yanx, this is supposed to be PRAISE for YOUR favorite dealer, so please bring up your favorite dealer and discuss their virtues, rather than complaints about Brian. :-) )
1. Gene at Hilcrest Hi-Fidelity in Dallas, was very kind to a college kid who had the audiobug bad.2. Mike at SoundTracks in Auburn, AL; no one could set up a turntable better. Quads, Futtermans and vinyl it was a great time.
3. A small family run store that was mostly a Mac dealership in the 80s in Ft. Worth somewhere on Camp Bowie. What nice people, they took time helped me with stuff they didn't even sell.
4. Joe of the now no more JC Audio. Joe was more of an audiophile and a sellsman than he was a dealer. He changed lines too often for his own good, but no one was more honest and tried harder to take care of customers.
5. Matt of Pitch Perfect Audio in San Francisco, Matt has a great nack for making you feel comfortable. He cares and knows music.
In the pass 30 years I have always found good dealers to help me, I also have walked away from more than a few.
Crazy Eddie in New York City.You couldnt buy cheaper than that anywhere.Great Marantz,Pioneer et al receivers.Fantastic tuners.Better than the ones recommended in Stereophile nowadays.Maybe only those of us living in Queens in the 70s bought Japanese hifi.
As a wide eyed Audio geek from "Noo Zilland" in Calif in the 70's the late Jonas Miller was a perfect gentleman with me when I visited his Wilshire Blvd Store and remained a good friend during my stay on the West coast-RIP to a true Audio pro--Likewise Ike Eisensen at Audio Directions San Diego while a troubled soul--Vietnam GreenBeret I believe--he always was accommodating to a inquisitive Novice "phile".Also BIG Walt at Woodland BIG in size and BIG in heart--always would put on the system/setup you wanted--Ha!--I remember him "Buddha like" in his Barbers Chair!
Good times,
Walt Lewsadder sold me a Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference turntable/arm and a pair of Rogers LS3/5A's in the mid-'70's. His Woodland Stereo Center was a small store with a single room, but what an eclectic selection of gear! He was the first dealer for Bedini amps and Shahinian speakers, a combo still recommended today. And if you wanted to hear new Infinity products, he was the first dealer to get them (and the closest to the factory).
Audio Directions provided my initiation to high-end/esoteric audio, too!
They treated me as a young teenager like a king. They'd let me come and browse anytime and were always very nice. Steve was the guy who usually helped me. He is still there. The Schusters owned the place. I bought all my gear from them (Yamaha, Nakamichi, Tandberg). Today, they are 98% home theater and it's not a very interesting selection. But I'm sure they know their market (mostly custom install). The last time I was there, some time last year, the two other customers that were there told me a lot about today's audio store customer. Looks and power and "built like a tank" were what it was all about.
.
I stopped by a week ago as just a "lookie-loo" and ended up with a great deal on a Rega Apollo that had been his demo unit. I didn't make it home for a few more hours, but that evening as I was setting it up in my system he called just to make sure everything was OK.
I can only say how thrilled I am with both, John is one of the "great" dealers - no pressure and just happy to talk audio and tubes.
I went in to buy a cartridge (DV10X4) and have it installed - not a huge order - and john asked me what my next move in audio might be. I told him I had no experience with tubes, but didn't have the money to buy anything at the moment. He took me in to listening room and spent about an hour demonstrating tube gear for me.
Jeff
and bought a lot of gear from him. I haven't bought much in a while since getting into DIY. He is truly a down to earth guy with tons of patience. He has taken the time to point things out that my ears sometimes "miss". High end audio needs a few more like my buddy John.Regards,
Good for you. John came over to my home last month and spent two hours fine-tuning my system (speaker placement and adjusting new subwoofer). Thats service!
I have dealt with Dallas Audio Concepts for over 15 years and they
have been a consistent dealer in the areas of help, support, and great selection. (And I was the same person who posted their
bad experience with PS Audio). So it is good to recognize the good,
but in reality, the only way a dealer or vendor is going to improve
is to point out areas that need improvement.
When I can, I take my business to Denny.
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