Walking Into A Brick & Mortar High End Audio Store


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I am currently pretty satisfied with my system the way it is right now. I am not in the market for any new purchases right now, mainly because I don't have the discretionary income to make big changes. However, sometimes I get the urge to want to go into a hifi store just to look. Eventually I will upgrade my speakers, cd player, preamp, a new dac for sure and may give class D amps a shot...but not right now.

Is it cool to go into a store just to look around, knowing you don't have the money or immediate need for an item?
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mitch4t

Showing 8 responses by adam18

One of the things I love about our wonderful hobby is a visit to a terrific audio shop for a few hours of just "hanging out." I've spent many a fun filled afternoon at such places as Sound By Singer, Lyric HiFi, Stereo Exchange, Altair Audio, Audio Connection, CSA Audio, Innovation Audio, Adirondack Audio-Video, and many other high end retailers over my thirty years as "a music loving audiophile." I have always been totally "up front and honest" with the sales staff ..... sometimes I was there to plan a purchase, and other times I was just there to enjoy music played on systems that I could only dream about actually owning. For me, this is an important part of our hobby and I don't recall ever misleading a salesperson or being treated rudely by one. And over the years, I have many times referred somebody to one of these fine shops and many major purchases have been made because of my recommendations.

If we are to allow our high end audio passions to develop and to allow the high end industry to continue to grow, we need to constantly try to bring new people under our wings and encourage them to listen to quality components and systems. The best way to do these, besides inviting "audio newcomers" into our homes, is to encourage them to visit high end stores to "hang out and listen." Perhaps more systems will be sold and more music loving audiophiles will be developed. For me, it all started in 1973 with a Panasonic all-in-one receiver/8-track player-recorder/turntable/speakers combination ....... After many, many hours in all those great stereo stores, I eventually worked my way up the equipment chain, having spent many thousands of dollars on a lot of different gear.

I am incredibly happy with my current system and I love listening to music. I owe it all to all those wonderful sales people at all the great stereo stores for the chance to "listen and hang out."
One of the things I love about our wonderful hobby is a visit to a terrific audio shop for a few hours of just "hanging out." I've spent many a fun filled afternoon at such places as Sound By Singer, Lyric HiFi, Stereo Exchange, Altair Audio, Audio Connection, CSA Audio, Innovation Audio, Adirondack Audio-Video, and many other high end retailers over my thirty years as "a music loving audiophile." I have always been totally "up front and honest" with the sales staff ..... sometimes I was there to plan a purchase, and other times I was just there to enjoy music played on systems that I could only dream about actually owning. For me, this is an important part of our hobby and I don't recall ever misleading a salesperson or being treated rudely by one. And over the years, I have many times referred somebody to one of these fine shops and many major purchases have been made because of my recommendations.

If we are to allow our high end audio passions to develop and to allow the high end industry to continue to grow, we need to constantly try to bring new people under our wings and encourage them to listen to quality components and systems. The best way to do these, besides inviting "audio newcomers" into our homes, is to encourage them to visit high end stores to "hang out and listen." Perhaps more systems will be sold and more music loving audiophiles will be developed. For me, it all started in 1973 with a Panasonic all-in-one receiver/8-track player-recorder/turntable/speakers combination ....... After many, many hours in all those great stereo stores, I eventually worked my way up the equipment chain, having spent many thousands of dollars on a lot of different gear.

I am incredibly happy with my current system and I love listening to music. I owe it all to all those wonderful sales people at all the great stereo stores for the chance to "listen and hang out."
Hey Czarivey ......

"The best option is B&H photo-video on 9th and 34th midtown NYC. They have great choice of pro-audio(and some high-end) and prices are lower vs. many internet retailers.
Also by walking there be Jewish and bargain!"

Please keep your vulgar prejudicial feelings to yourself. These forums are NOT the place to express your bad taste and obvious lack of sensitivity. An apology by you is definitely in order here. You should really be ashamed of yourself !
Czarivy .. Any statements that imply anti-Semitism or any other anti-ethnic bias are completely inappropriate. If your ignorance with this is preventing you from realizing that your remark "be Jewish and bargain" is indeed vulgar and in bad taste, then you obviously have some deep issues of prejudicial thought processes that are inexcusable. For the sake of all of us who are offended by your remark, please refrain from digging a deeper hole for yourself. It's a downward spiral, and I suggest you stop it right now !
Ignorance, prejudicial thoughts, anti-Semitic statements, and now, threats of physical violence..... Czarivey is just falling deeper and deeper into the abyss. Besides simply scorning him, maybe we should pity him too.
According to Ernest Hemingway, it's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." But, more importantly, does the sound of that tolling bell sound better via tubes or solid state ?
Excellent story Frogman. As a matter of fact, the Selmer Mark VI saxophone has been used by some of the greatest players out there, including Coltrane, Rollins, Getz, Gordon, and Konitz. The "Selmer sound" is quite beautiful.
Wow .....I'm reading through the last few pages of postings on this forum and I am flipping out. You guys are all nuts ! Why don't you all just take a deep breath and relax. Put some Coltrane on your turntables, pour a nice snifter of single malt scotch, and enjoy the music. Life is too short to be going crazy over this stuff. How about some peace, love, and understanding ? It's all about the music ..... so enjoy it !