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Music Direct and my recent exoeriences

I have a lot of respect for Audio Advisor with Thousands in purchases all have been perfect, professional and resulted with a very happy Audiophile.

My first component was a Marantz CD63SE when I was a college Sophmore and it changed my world and perspective on this brilliant hobby. The only problem is people during the procurement process. Promises not kept. Documentation and Boxes advertised but not provided et AL.

So I tried several times to procure a new Amplifier Amongst many greats including Meridian, Conrad Johnson and McIntosh.

So after a lot of disappointment and flat out liars or pathetic fast talking sales people I decided on Music Direct. We had issues with Cary supposedly drop shipping in a week only for a month to go by and NOTHING...waiting on capacitors was the answer. ROCKO and DAN did a solid to work with me after myn5 week wait. For an upcharge they got me the Levinson 532H in record time and I am still in love...attached to my McIntosh D150, Esoteric SACD, McIntosh MCD301 I wanted the Jolida fusion F 360 but it turned out to be the cheapest most poorly made component I have ever purchased. Day one the Haptic Touch On-Off-Standby button should be an analogies physical button. Instead I get a POS virtual button that loops amongst Standby-Off and then On but only for milliseconds. Poor electronics and poor design. GOING WITH A Bel Conto Pre5 or a Benchmark LA4 or maybe a Rotel Michi and hoping Rocco and Dan will continue their great service, take my feedback as a EE and Computer Data Scientist and get rid of that poorly executed JoLida ICE product line..sounds good but onlynfor a few days...hats off to Music Direct they literally did everything to make me satisfied but now I have to return the Jolida and hopefully they will continue to work with me. Much respect gentlemen and they are a class act if your looking for great gear, yet, I am still saddened about all the 10 plus audiophile stores I could visit on Woodward in Detroit just 15 years ago. Music Direct is the next best virtual thing to that tangible experience. Keep up the great work.
worstwebsiteever
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jji666
536 posts
 
I think you can actually visit Music Direct, albeit it is not exactly an audio showroom.  They're all really nice there and they have their B stock up including vinyl returns.  At least it was like that at their last location. 
tim_p's avatar
tim_p
361 posts
 
I forgot to add my experience with Music Direct, I've ordered from them on several occasions. One that impressed me,  l ordered the boxset, 1/2 speed master version of Yes, The Yes Album, sold out everywhere for months. I was late on the bandwagon, and they stated backordered on their website. 3 months later this rare and sealed boxset arrived at my door, with all Customs and Import fees paid in full by Music Direct. The included a small hand written note apologizing for the lateness, and I thought only us Canadians were only so apologetic! 
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rajugsw
214 posts
 
I bought a brand new Jolida 3502p back in January of this year. It’s been rock solid and sounds amazing. Music Direct was a big help and even quoted me on some trade in’s towards the purchase. I had to sell the 3502p in order to finance my 5 Channel Build of the Orchard Audio StarKrimson Ultra Amplifier. The new owner is extremely happy along with the cryo’d 4 KT150 Tubes that I bought form Upscale Audio. I sold the KT88’s that came with the Amp without even turning it on !

PS Audio, Music Direct, The Music Room, and Upscale Audio are all fine Companies to deal from my experience. I can’t comment on Audio Advice cause I’ve never bought anything from them. But I get the flyers every month.
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kingbarbuda
514 posts
 
MusicDirect is great except for the Chicago (or Cook County?) sales tax regs that they are subject to (for which they are not responsible). If you live in IL outside of Chicago they still charge you a 10.25% sales tax. The Chicago sales tax is an “origination” tax. But if you live outside of IL I think they charge you your local sales tax. This makes for a disincentive to do business with them, an IL business, in your own state, when some vendors out of state don’t charge sales tax or will charge you your local and lower IL tax. This isn’t a big deal for small items. But for expensive items it’s a bigger deal.  
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skiroe
131 posts
 
I have dealt online with AA only a couple of times --no problems.

I just completed my first deal with MD a week or so ago. Check it out re/negotiating. MD posts listings on Reverb-- Open box Wharfedale EVO 4.3 for 1250 including shipping I think it was. I offered $1k including shipping. (paid tax of course)   Retail is  $1598

They accepted and received very fast and appear brand new and sound great. Wanted to check out what the dome mid range chatter is all about. MD does do deals. What prompted me to offer $1k is they had a white pair scratch and dent on their site for $999 and figured I’ll offer $1k for the black pair open box on Reverb.. I think that they do this to increase sales and speakers were not open box. After all, all this gear is marked up pretty good.
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larsman
1,931 posts
 
I've bought gear from Music Direct - I think they're fine; never had any problems and everything arrived as it should when it should. I've also bought used gear from the Music Room, and I've been happy with them as well...
pkatsuleas
253 posts
 
MD has been great for me.  But, I live in Chicago so always pick up there.  If you do that they will save you a few bucks.  Tax and a little more.  Basically, what it costs them to ship I imagine.  They have a pretty extensive used vinyl area with some good prices on b stock mo-fi stuff.  You have to call ahead and talk to Rob.

But, they are not a traditional brick and mortar dealer.  They do have a couple of nice demo rooms with some great gear set up.  Unfortunately,  not for public use.  Or, at least regular shmoes like me.  Pretty sure if you wanted to spend big bucks on something they would do a demo for you.  ;-)

Highly recommended
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,040 posts
 
I like Music direct , I go there personally to pick up my orders, One thing I like about them , they usually try to please their costumers. But they are not perfect , I know many guys there , 98 % of them are nice, Jim Davis the owner is very down to earth.When I make big purchases. I do prefer MD because I can talk to them personallh if something goes wrong.
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jayctoy
4,040 posts
 
If you ask for discounts?They will to works it out. But you have to ask though. I like their open box sale.
pkatsuleas
253 posts
 
I did ask if they could do any better on an open box REL t9 last year and they flat out said no.  Too hot of a commodity I guess!  Should have just bought it for what they were asking!  LOL
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kingbarbuda
514 posts
 
I got a REL T/9i in 2019-20 from MusicDirect. It was open box return. The price was super low and the condition was mint. I picked it up. It was a very good deal. 
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,426 posts
 
I bought a cart.in june and asked for a catalog and still waiting. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
I think their latest catalog is long gone. You will automatically get one when the new ones come out in November/December. 
bob540
407 posts
 
@uncledemp,  😂
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 
I was banned from Audio Advisor. They said I asked too many questions and wasted the salesmen time without buying anything. 
Even though I told them that I rarely call and they must have me mistaken with someone else, it didn't matter to the Salesman/Manager.

Oh, well... I do like Music Direct.

ozzy
arichison's avatar
arichison
81 posts
 
I am going to buy my new Wharfdale speakers from Music Direct.  They carry the model I want and free shipping!  I have had excellent results with Audio Advisory in past. Lots of purchases. You know, there are not many true mail order companies that even know what real audio is about and these two are pretty knowledgeable for me. I am going to continue to use them. I also used to go to audio stores to listen. I sure miss it. 
twoch
429 posts
 
i would beleave five on Woodard never 15  Maybe
a 2 miles  off the Ave.  
twoch
429 posts
 
scott22,  You can't get that through to a Harvard guy 
 Let's get that right, 
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garebear
1,146 posts
 
......our fellow Audiogon friend here who has been a member for a whole three months has come to a quick conclusion that the Audiophiles here are all old aged with thinning or bald gray hair and put what we have left on our heads into a bun to be cool. Well , I must reassess myself as I do not have the characteristics that you so eloquently described but I of those '' Boomer(s) '' . I grew up in a generation that had great musicians that made music that we are still are listening to 50 years later and music that is just as relative today as it was back then. So yes I did find those comments offensive as well as unnecessary. We are all here and for me at least for the genuine love of music and as a hobby on the equipment. The fact that you wrote this thread about the positive merits about ; " Music  Direct '' while sitting on the toilet is very disturbing but then as you noted we can thank you for all of the newest technology in hardware and software. The other '' crazy '' thing about us Boomers - most of us had the privilege of working at companies that gave us nice fat juicy pensions and matched our 401k's and we collect Social Security in our early to mid sixties and we we rally can't say that now about corporate America or even for privately held companies. So be kind to us Boomers as we have earned this privilege. One other point fellow Audiogon member; I would not miss you company's next diversity and sensitivity training as you may need it or you just may be sitting on that toilet typing up your resume' for a new career. Just my 2 cents as an old man with all of my graying hair. 
winoguy17
1,119 posts
 
 Well said garebear.....
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I strive to live my life guilt-free. I think I'm doing a decent job of it, too. I happily wag my finger at all the finger-waggers.  
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