A visit to the (Audio) Doctor


Looking at audio equipment can be a painful experience, sort of like looking at new (or used cars) or a trip to the dentist. I spent 4.5 hours at Audio Doctor in New Jersey. It was a great experience. Dave left a meeting early to see me. He knew that I was not looking at his very high end stuff, but he spent the whole day with me. No pressure, changing speakers many times and going back to a couple of them repeatedly. I have it narrowed down to two speakers, Vivid 1.5 or Janszen Valentia with air motion. Leaning toward the Vivids (pending wife approval). The shop is full of lots of incredible audio equipment at all price ranges. Clearly this is a business that is run out of appreciation of sound rather than maximizing profits.I am hesitant to go to small intimate shops like this out of concerns or pressure. This was just the opposite. Highly recommended.
crwindy

Showing 1 response by rbstehno

All salesmen are prejudice. No single audio dealer has everything that I want. For example, if you go to the AD for advice, would they actually tell you to go down the street to audition a pair of Revel’s or Wilson’s because that would fit tour needs better than what stock? That’s like saying a Toyota dealer telling a customer they would be better off buying a Ford.
I would agree that AD didn’t have to support the “gray” market product, but it sounds like AD did everything he could to put the client down. I didn’t hear anything that the client took many hours of AD’s time then went online to buy it much cheaper. AD should have explained the scenario but should have assisted the maybe future client to help find someone to help him.
Now, if I was that person that needed help, the next time I was looking for a new component, I know who I wouldn’t go to.
I personally don’t think it’s appropriate for dealers to respond to audio threads because of their biases. All audiophiles have a bias to what they have purchased, but they aren’t trying to sell you something.