2. misc-audio
  3. 1359048712

The Demise of the Hi-End Audio Store

Ok. So I've read hundred's of forum posts from a lot of people and one question keeps popping into my head. Where does everyone listen (test out) all of this equipment? I don't know about you but I live in a fairly populated area, Cleveland/Akron Ohio area, and while there are a few (and I only mean a few) high end audio stores in my area, there are limited hi end brands in those stores. Ten years ago that was a different story, but this is the reality today.

So while I want to listen to equipment I'm interested in (Jolida, Prima Luna, Silverline, LSA, the list goes on and on), there isn't the opportunity.

Does everyone really travel hundreds of miles to listen to new components or do you do your research and buy what you think will work and go from there?

Thanks
panfish
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The idea a local store carried all you could ever want... IS A MYTH !!!
NO stores carried more than a few major brands.. and a few smaller ones.
Back in the 60's 70' 80's a local store had a limited set of brands. Period.
Starting in the 90s is really when everyone suddenly realized the internet allowed us to buy ANYTHING made.
That is when we became free to start wanting ANY brand..
Before that, it was what was available locally, or in the nearby big cities..
So I say 'get over it' not being able to audition any brand.. No one EVER could!!

I personaly was thrilled a local dealer went back to carrying magnepan. Becasue that meant i could listen to them.
Lucky for me he also carried Bryston. No onecarried the other brands of amplification I wanted to try...
Tough.

As for now, we live in amazing times.. Stuff is available. ANY stuff you want.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
Elizabeth is right. No one I know travels far and wide to hear something save for some audio show, and then everyone is always apologizing for the sound due to the venue.

Back in the day, salons carried only select brands that they liked or could sell and if one ever brought up another brand they didn't carry, the session could go sour real quick, especially if you didn't back down.

The way to go now seems to be sites like Audio Geek and Cable Co. and others who will send out a demo piece (using your CC as collateral) and all you'll be out of pocket for is the return shipping when you're done. If you ask me, that kind of widens the playing field as long as you're not demoing full range speakers and the like.

I'm still on the fence about demoing a Luxman SQ-N10 tube integrated from the Cable Co. myself.

All the best,
Nonoise
gpgr4blu
810 posts
 
We here in NY have it good. There are very few brands that we do not have access to--even after Sound By Singer closed it's large downtown store (and reopened an appointment only location). Without any deep thinking, I count 10 high end shops in Manhattan alone---- all stocked with different brands. Add NJ to the mix with the likes of Audio Connection, GTT Audio, Audio Nexus, CSA Audio and others --and you've pretty much got the field covered. We realize how lucky we are.
More to discover