The Best Audio Dealer

In Philadelphia, and within this region, the best is John Adams, of Community Audio. He is the owner, and doesn't have more than 1 or 2 people with him. He carries brands that are not found in the other area stores. He is great with discounts, auditions, home trials. You can tell he is there for love, not money. He does not get rich from this, but does have MANY friends who really admire him. He's not only a great audio dealer, but a great guy.

Two other great suggestions in the Philadelphia, PA area are Community Audio and TSTO (formerly, The Stereo Trading Outlet). Both stores have been around since the mid-80s, have fantastic owners/service, interesting and good sounding lineups, and are exactly the kind of establishments we all hope to do business with.

Right about Chestnut Hill, Bifwynne; it's a beautiful area. Lots of good restaurants there of many stripes. I'm in Whitemarsh township, very close to there and where you were in Plymouth Meeting.

If you know the Shell gas station in Chestnut Hill, Community Audio is right across the street, just before Willow Grove Avenue. When you walk in, the more high-end audio part of the store is in the back (second) room. And, if you go through that back room, into the building behind that main building, you'll find the best stuff.

Hideaway Records, who carries new/used turntables and a bit of used kit, is across from the other gas station in Chestnut Hill, the Sunoco on Bethlehem Pike. Also there is the former Borders bookstore, the terminus of the SEPTA R8 Regional Rail line, and where the trolleys/buses turn around.

Bifwynne, most people confuse Community Audio with the defunct Jack Rubsinson's (still active in the industry - I think now with VPI?) Chestnut Hill Audio, which used to sit right below the Ben Franklin Bridge. Community Audio is located on Germantown Avenue in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. John Adams (owner) and Bill are normally there, and extremely welcoming. If you do make the trip, further up the hill is Hideaway Records, which I suggest you also visit.

Even when everyone else abandoned it, they stuck with both tubes and vinyl. Most of the brands they carry have been with them for a very, very long time - Cambridge, Gallo, JMLabs, Jolida, Linn, Music Hall, Naim, Rega, Rogue, and Totem. In the past, they've also had Cain & Cain, Electrocompaniet, Fried, JSE/Infinite Slope, NAD, Osborn, and Redgum.