Three weeks ago I had what was without a doubt the most pleasant experience I have ever had at a dealer's showroom. This was after 25 years in this hobby and visits to every major showroom in the NYC area, as well as showrooms in several other cities. I found myself with two hours to kill between rehearsals in the Madison ave. area and I stumbled across the Red Rose Music showroom on Mad. ave. This as you know is Mark Levinson's new company; I had read and heard about them, but had not had the opportunity to check them out.
I have never owned any Levinson gear nor been particularly "blown away" when I have heard it at dealers', shows or friends'; although I have liked what I heard and certainly respect the man ML.
I walked in without an appointment and for the next hour and a half sat in a very comfortable single listening room environment with a piano and other instruments around, and listened to MUSIC with the warmest, most respectfull, and most audio/music-astute salesperson that I have ever met. While there, three other folks dropped in and stayed for shorter periods of time and received the same treatment.
I loved the sound: VERY alive sounding and MUSICAL!!!! The word "easy" keeps coming up. Their small ribbon tweetered two way powered by the tubed integrated (I don't remember model #'s) with a SONY HDCD sounded absolutely gorgeous. Wonderfull liquidity and fabulous clarity in the mids and highs without a hint of harshness. The bigger gear was stunning. If I were in the market for a whole new system, this would be at the top of the list.
I guess you can tell I liked their stuff and their attitude. Highly Recommended! Good luck.
Red Rose Music
943 Madison Avenue
212 628 5777
I have never owned any Levinson gear nor been particularly "blown away" when I have heard it at dealers', shows or friends'; although I have liked what I heard and certainly respect the man ML.
I walked in without an appointment and for the next hour and a half sat in a very comfortable single listening room environment with a piano and other instruments around, and listened to MUSIC with the warmest, most respectfull, and most audio/music-astute salesperson that I have ever met. While there, three other folks dropped in and stayed for shorter periods of time and received the same treatment.
I loved the sound: VERY alive sounding and MUSICAL!!!! The word "easy" keeps coming up. Their small ribbon tweetered two way powered by the tubed integrated (I don't remember model #'s) with a SONY HDCD sounded absolutely gorgeous. Wonderfull liquidity and fabulous clarity in the mids and highs without a hint of harshness. The bigger gear was stunning. If I were in the market for a whole new system, this would be at the top of the list.
I guess you can tell I liked their stuff and their attitude. Highly Recommended! Good luck.
Red Rose Music
943 Madison Avenue
212 628 5777