Tell Me Some of Your Favorite High-End Audio Dealers!

Music Maven · « **on:** 22 Oct 2004, 12:46 am »

Whether they're internet types or "brick-and-mortar" shops or from home, I don't care.

But I think they should be authorized for the lines they sell.

By a "favorite" dealer I have in mind someone who really seems to enjoy the gear like we do, will be glad to give advice, and carries a nice array of esoteric "underground" brands.

I can think of three, and may be missing some.

I haven't traded yet with "internet" dealers, so because I can't recommend it doesn't mean I slight them- just no background.

Primus Audio Pleasure in Kansas City is an easy recommendation. Al is a straight-talking guy, passionate about audio, has honest prices and some of the true underground brands.

Jim at Hi-Notes is in the process of starting up again somewhere in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. All the same things I said about Al, except that he's gearing up after moving from Georgia, so will carry more brands as time goes along.

The final one for now is Harold at Youngblood Sound out of Oklahoma City. He's been in audio retail it seems like forever, and with his ethics I'm not surprised!

I think all three have websites, and bear in mind that all of these have my utmost confidence, but human nature and various personalities being what they are, you may or may not agree with me. These are just suggestions, in case you happen to be looking for a chance at a "long-term relationship" with a reputable dealer. I certainly don't recommend violating the faith with a current dealer you may have confidence in.

Naturally, it's a big country, and I'm curious who else might qualify to be added to this "hall of fame" list, so please give us all feedback about exceptional dealers you've found...good guys with good gear and good ears offering good prices.

Jerry

djbnh · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:34 am »

1) Klaus Bunge of Odyssey. He sells Odyssey, of course, plus Symphonic Line, as well as being an official distributor and sales agent for all vanden Hul cartridges.

2) Chris VenHaus of VH Audio. He sells his own PCs, ICs, Hot Box, V Caps, etc. including DIY cable components, as well as other items.

Both the above, from my experience, are unpretentious gentlemen, extremely knowledgeable, and accessible. It doesn't hurt that their respective price/performance ratios are absolutely consumer friendly.

srclose · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:35 am »

I've talked with Primus but never made it to their store. I have known Harold Youngblood for about 20 years and have to second your recommendation. I would never hesitate to refer someone to Harold or to take his advice as sincere and well-informed.

orthobiz · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:52 am »

Stereo Sound, Stony Brook, LI, NY Rte 347 ca. 1974

I used to go in and drool over the equipment. Had a Marantz 2230 with homemade speakers (Big Julie's from Nassau County). Bought a tiny pair of Heco's with long throw woofers for my dorm room, upgraded to Braun 710's. Bought a Tandberg 1055 and a Beogram 3000 (still have that one) and a Tandberg 9000X (alas, couldn't afford the Dolby). Spent every penny I could at the time, and boy, were those pennies hard to come by!

There was a guy Elliot there, was pretty cool and receptive to the whole college scene. Let me borrow a dBx unit (seemed to only work on Thick as a Brick) that I never bought. He eventually wound up in a stereo store in NYC and I saw him once years later...

Anyway, you asked. So what if it was 30 yrs ago?

biz

jpsartre · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 03:01 am »

Sound by Singer in NY

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OK, just kidding

Eric · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:14 am »

Mike Dzurko at ACI - great customer service and a wonderful product. I love my Jag / LFM's

WerTicus · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:59 am »

Quote from: Music Maven

...Naturally, it's a big country...

yeah and your on the internet here buddy, its international and your posting in general two channel not 'american two channel' geez.

sorry just annoys me that americans always see the world outside of usa as not actually existing even if they are blowing it up.

I nominate W.A.R. Audio in perth Western Australia.

Music Maven · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 05:10 am »

I really, REALLY hope you're joking.

You sure don't know me, nor have you bothered to read my other posts.

In fact, I favor imported speaker brands-very impressed by their quality.

You don't know how I vote, if I vote, etc. Don't mistake a government for all its people.

Find a hobby other than bashing Americans. That isn't the topic here!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 06:55 am »

Quote from: WerTicus

I nominate W.A.R. Audio in perth Western Australia.

Hey WerTicus,

WerTicus · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 07:59 am »

music, my gov supports your gov too dont forget! I dont like either of them.

Anyways

WAR is awesome ... Pat voiced the speakers that won in 2001. Though he hasnt been to the USA since.

Working on their website now actually but here it is in its current state...
when its done ill be making a post somewhere for you all to see.
Still lots of work to be done.

http://www.warco.com.au/waraudio/index.html

BeeBop · « **Reply #10 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 09:30 am »

Quote from: WerTicus

yeah and your on the internet here buddy, its international and your posting in general two channel not 'american two channel' geez.

sorry just annoys me that americans always see the world outside of usa as not actually existing even if they are blowing it up.

Well it is an American site, after all, and in any case, this is pretty unfair comment IMHO. These are all pretty thoughtful guys. We get this sort of comment in Canada too from time to time, usually from people who've never been outside the country.

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 10:20 am »

I've only known one decent bricks and mortar audio shop, that was Marshall Music in Lansing, Michigan (a big seller of musical instruments). Sales staff worked on salary and were allowed to sell whatever they wanted. (This was a great premise for an audio shop.) But alas, it didn't generate the same profits per square foot that the rest of the store did and so the home audio portion was shut down over 20 years ago.

IMO one of the big gains from the internet is the advent of cottage industries. Bought my speakers from Bob Brines, who works out of his garage (using Fostex drivers from Japan). Currently have a Decware 12 wpc tube amp here on loan from his cabinet builder who lives in Arizona. And Steve Deckert himself has hosted his own audio fests out of his house, garage, and shop.

The various audio fests that have been held over the past 2 or 3 years is a testimony to internet driven cottage industries. It's really neat that you can talk with the actual folks (including many from Audio Circle) that own the company and build the stuff. This sort of interaction I believe makes for way better service, pricing, and products. In the case of my speakers, Bob built them with the drivers I selected, at the height off the floor I wanted, used the veneer I picked out, and all for $1500/pair. How cool is that?

WerTicus · « **Reply #12 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 10:55 am »

Quote from: BeeBop

Well it is an American site, after all,....

I disagree with this... its not. Its on the internet, its accessable from everwhere in the world, its international!

Inscrutable · « **Reply #13 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 11:06 am »

MM,
I don't know 'Jim from Hi-Notes', but keep me posted, I'd like to look him up when he gets here.

And, not just because he's part of the Circle, I'll nominate Shane aka Home Theater Doc

Some guys mentioned folks like Klaus, Chris, Mike - who are all really Manufacturers, not Dealers. If we were going to include those guys, we would have a MUCH MUCH longer list. In my experience, it is those designers/owners who are really jazzed about this hobby/business, fun and informative to be around, and often offering great value. I won't even attempt to add to that list as it would be quite long, and still omit/forget some very worthy names.

Inscrutable · « **Reply #14 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 11:11 am »

And, at the risk of adding fuel, can we take the provincial supremacist vs inferiority-complexed oppressed over to Sports Bar or Fight Club, and return to our regularly scheduled programming here? Thanks!

WerTicus · « **Reply #15 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 01:17 pm »

its over already.

outwest · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 02:30 pm »

My first thought was also Primus Audio in KC
also Experience Audio in Seattle (especially for vinyl!!)
and Two Bald Guys Audio from Portland

JohnR · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:21 pm »

Quote from: BeeBop

Quote from: WerTicus
yeah and your on the internet here buddy, its international and your posting in general two channel not 'american two channel' geez.

sorry just annoys me that americans always see the world outside of usa as not actually existing even if they are blowing it up.

Well it is an American site, after all, and in any case, this is pretty unfair comment IMHO. These are all pretty thoughtful guys. We get this sort of comment in Canada too from time to time, usually from people who've never been outside the country.

Excuse me, but this is not an American site.

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:36 pm »

In NJ:

Audio Connection: Verona NJ
The Sound Exchange: Somerville
Harvey Electronics: Paramus & Eatontown
The HomeTheatre Shop: Greenbrook
Rabson's Audio: Paramus
Audio Nexus: Summitt
CSA Audio design: North Caldwell

In Pa:

The Stereo trading outlet

Music Maven · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Oct 2004, 04:57 pm »

A couple of follow-up thoughts...

Music, it is said, is an international language and I think that should unite us, much moreso than politics. For most of us, it's far more fun and beautiful!

It's not just a North American board, but I think it's fair to say that upwards of eighty per cent of the participants are from North America.

Certainly those in Australia will benefit from shop recommendations there, whereas most folks in North America, unless they travel a lot and want to put up with the hassles of getting electronics home from overseas, won't find shop recommendations outside North America too practical.

Again, I very much admire many imported audio components, and some of the leading audio dealers HERE in North America carry them.

I'm someone very far removed from being an "automatic flagwaver" but I'm very proud of the citizens of the USA, especially outside Washington, DC, so I get a little bent out of shape for being attacked for a government I might not like any better than you!

Yes, I too have noticed that some posters are talking about distributors rather than dealers and I agree that could expand the discussion quite a bit, but I'm pretty mellow about that and still might benefit from what they want to say.

I think that Hi-Notes is in the Durham area, and if I can find a website for Jim, I'll pass it along, Inscrutable.

Jerry