Help, I need my audio fix. Going Main on Vacation

Audio-Enthusiast · « **on:** 28 May 2005, 11:24 pm »

I am going to the state of Main on vacation with my wife next month. I think to town we are going to is called bidifurd (not sure how to spell it) Anyway, my wife expects to do alot of shopping and I was hopping to check out the Audio shops in the area.

Anyone know of a good reputable audio specialty stores in this area? And no i'm not talking about Circuit City or Best Buy...

I am willing to travel an hour or so to get there.

Any assistance would be great.

Thanks.

eric the red · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 May 2005, 01:21 pm »

We Yanks have spelled Maine with an E since 1820

Have a nice visit...

PhilNYC · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 May 2005, 01:40 pm »

Don't know where "bidifurd" is, but here's a dealer that has some good stuff...

http://www.dyanaaudio.com/index.htm

WerTicus · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 May 2005, 01:47 pm »

wow yanks spelling something properly?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 May 2005, 02:28 pm »

I would try PM'ing scottmayo or beemer, both live in Maine, and are likely to be able to point you in the right direction.

Fun area, spend 10 summers in a row out that way, back in the 80's.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 May 2005, 03:32 pm »

Quote from: PhilNYC

Don't know where "bidifurd" is....

Biddeford, Maine is just south of Portland, the closest large city. A very nice area...good seafood and nice beaches....excellent spot for a vacation.[/list:u]

djbnh · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 May 2005, 04:20 pm »

I'm in Northwood, NH, about 60 miles from Biddeford / Portland, Me. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any stores within an hour of the Biddeford area. Boston has stores, but that's farther than your indicated driving radius. Oh yeah, there's a Blose outlet store, along with tons of other outlets, down in Kittery, ME, which is not to far from Biddeford.

Gordy · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 May 2005, 04:57 pm »

Quote from: WerTicus

wow yanks spelling something properly?

It's all the kauphy we drink...

Music Maven · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 May 2005, 03:32 am »

I wish I could help.

I visited the Portland area back in 1991 or 1992 and there was THEN a pretty nice audio shop there in one of the suburbs, but I can't remember exactly where. They carried some serious gear but not to the level you'd find in Boston. That was over a decade ago so they may be out of business. Once you get to town, a quick check of the Portland phone book should tell the story.

I remember being REAL impressed with the Maine Mall, but that was back in the days when it was FULL of upscale department stores. Jordan Marsh is now gone, as is the local upscale store Porteaus, if I'm not mistaken. When I visited, they had just closed their downtown store months before, but had a location then in the Maine Mall.

It looks like even the famous, legendary Marshall Field's name from Chicago will be replaced by Macy's soon, now that Target Corp. sold Field's and May Department stores bought them, only to be gobbled up themselves by Federated. Federated seems to think that Macy's is the only magic name in the retail world!

Jerry

Audio-Enthusiast · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 May 2005, 10:21 pm »

Thank you all for your valuble feedback. OK Eric the red Maine with an "e". Got it.

Thanks djbnh for the info; once my wife found out about the outlet malls, that was it! We will now also be going to Kittery and since we are in the area, I will also drop in Eliet (12min away from Kittery) and visit the Dyana-audio (thanks PhilNYC)

Yes I have sent a PM to those 2 guys. None of them live in the state of Maine. It was worth a shot.. mcgsxr

Oh ya, I'll check the yellow pages once I get there. Of course, why didn't I think of that? tks Music Maven

I wasn't sure to get any response from this enquiry. You guys on Audio Circle Rock!

Thump553 · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Jun 2005, 01:45 am »

I've been to the Bose store at the Kittery outlet mall. Don't bother-it's the typical Bose store found in almost any large mall.

Talk your wife into going to LL Bean instead-not audio, but definately a good place to go.

drewfidelity · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Jun 2005, 02:49 am »

My In-Laws live in Stratham, NH which is about 15 minutes from the Kittery outlets. I go up there a few times a year. There used to be a great audio store in Hampton, NH called Fidelis. They have since moved locations in New Hampshire. They carried some nice high end lines and the guys who worked there were nice. I bought some symposium roller blocks from them a few years back and I still use them in my system(by far the oldest piece of equipment in my system-compulsive upgrader/downgrader/idiot).

Also, if you play golf there is a great cheap course about 5 minutes from Kittery at the Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. I believe that the Golf Course is all that remains of the base. If I remember correctly it was $25 with the cart.

Enjoy your trip.

djbnh · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Jun 2005, 03:03 am »

FYI - Fidelis moved to Derry, NH.

Of course, if you're going to Pease AFB, you might as well stop at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle's NH State Liquor Store, just off I-95 - prices are better than ME, MA, or VT...And there's a brewery at the old base, too - Redhook - nice fresh suds and food.

Music Maven · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Jun 2005, 04:08 am »

Audio Enthusiast,

I'm thinking the name of the "high-end" store in the Portland area thirteen years ago might have been New England Music. Not sure if they're still around.

Jerry

Music Maven · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jun 2005, 04:10 am »

To Audio-Enthusiast,

I don't know if you're checking this anymore, but I finally found a link to the Portland-area hi-fi store I visited thirteen or fourteen years ago:

http://www.newenglandhifi.homestead.com/

Note that this link is from 2000, so I'm not sure if the store is still around.

I had remembered them having a few more "high-end" brands than listed now, but they might have something not listed.

SURELY there MUST be ONE real "upscale" dealer in the Portland area? Or does everyone drive to Bean Town?

Anyway, I really enjoyed Maine and hope you will. I remember "Intown" Portland being very trendy, lots of fun restaurants and small shops. If possible, you might take a ride on one of the Casco Bay Ferries and explore an island off Portland...

Please post here on your return and let us know about your experiences in the state...

Jerry

Audio-Enthusiast · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Jun 2005, 04:00 am »

Thanks "Music Maven"

This is of great help

I can't wait to go visiting the states again... Bring my 4 year old boy to the ocean. Should be a great time. A trip off the main land sound nice also.

I'll try to post my experience when I come back. Hopfully with some news on those high-end Audio shops for all who might be interested.

Cheers!