Could I use my analog hifi system for commerical bar?


Dear gentlemen, 

I would need your kind advices on this.

COVID, recession, stock market, my business went downhill in the past 2 years and it is now to the point that I call it quit on my current business operation. 

I'm thinking of an idea to bring my home hifi system to "hustle on the street" and earn some buck along the way before I'm able to do something bigger. 

I'm thinking of opening a hifi/audiophile (vinyl) bar, which is not so common in my area here, and I think there is a good market for that. However, I'm not financially capable of buying a whole new system, I can spare about $20k extra on audio equipment, the rest of my pocket is only enough to pay for rents/labour + other equipment for catering at the moment.

Here is my humble current set up at home:

1. Joseph Audio flagship Pearl speakers

2. Soure: vintage Thornes TD125 Long Base with Audio Technica VM760SLC MM Cart.

3. Rega Fono Mini A2D phonostage

4. Rouge Audio Cronos Magnum Integrated Amp 1st generation (as a preamp)

5. Bel Canto REF1000M Monoblocks

6. I have a Supratek Cortese coming in the next few months which can replace both the Rega & Rouge Audio.

So here are my questions:

1. How big is the venue should I be looking at for a comfortable volume that people can enjoy the music, not counting other operation space for example bar/kitchen etc... Are these speakers capable of a 1000 square feet venue at 90+db?

2. Is the systems capable of heavy duty job that make them runs 8-10 hours a day? Maybe 12hrs during the weekends. 

3. I possible thinking of selling away the vintage Thorens and buy 2 Technics Direct Drive TT because of its robust construction, and slowly turns them into a DJ booth with mixer too. Is that a good idea?

4. With all the bar fixtures, guests, could this system perform well at an "acceptable" audiophile level  with proper room treatments? I know this is a vague statement, but I just think my Pearls speakers is a much better pair than other bars with JBLs. 

5. With an extra $20k on audio equipment, what should I be upgrading/changing? I must add that I don't think selling my current set up is a good idea at the local market here, so I don't think I will sell everything to buy a new system. 

6. What else should I be aware of from the experienced guys here on this kind of venture?

Thank you guys so much!

K.

hoangkhoi1207

I hope you will hear from guys who have actually done what you propose, but my gut response is that you may be better off, and spend less money, if you adopt gear that is expressly made for the purpose.  Cheap speakers, many of them as needed to fill the room with sound, placed strategically, and cheap Class D amplification, for starters.  I don't think this is a good application for 2-speaker stereo.

Just a couple words on the business side. Unless you are independently wealthy… spend absolutely as little as possible. You have a concept… find a way to make it happen with no additional expenditures. Use your own equipment. Talk to local audio stores to lend you equipment to put on display.

 

By audio Bar…. What do you mean… sell drinks? You put a few people in a place and give them a couple drinks and the nuances of audio goes away. You just have a bar.

 

Vinyl / high end audio is for solitary geeks. I am one… why would I want to go? Certainly not to meet girls. Other geeks?

 

Have you written a business plan? Who are your customers? Go find some, interview them. What are you selling… what are your costs?

 

 

 

Thank you guys for the fast responds, however, there is the current new concept on music-centric bar serving drinks, for people who cares both for the sound and the atmosphere of a bar. 

 

These are not popular even on a global scale, Japan has many of them for a few years already, and I know for sure there is a market for this type of business in my area, hence my questions, here's a link you may take a look at some of them here:

 

 

Not sure any of this is viable as a business model but I'll chime in anyway. You'll want very efficient loudspeakers. Something like Klipsch LaScalas, raised up off the floor to project the sound out over the floor. 2 direct drive TTs is also a good idea so if one goes down, you'll have a backup. You'll also want to be able to play CDs and stream.