Audio Research Reference 5 SE Preamps For Sale?

Bdp24,

I laughed when I read your reply regarding Sunil. He wasn't my dealer of choice initially but have come to understand him better. He can, and does piss off some customers easily. I met Brooks when he started doing turntables in Pasadena when Stereo Shoppe morphed into GNP audio. This was before Brooks and Sheila even met and got married! I guess I have been around for awhile? I have been trying to visit Brian and his store in Pasadena. Brian has finally "grown up" and wish him luck with his store. He can also get on one's bad side. Scott (Sunil's "right hand man" and Brian grew up together. It is nice to have all of the stores so close by to evaluate equipment. I have heard the stories regarding Sunil, but then again there are stories regarding all of them in this area that would be a soap opera for sure.

BDP-24,

I tried to look up the thread you had mentioned about worst dealers in the country. I could not find it. Is it listed under a different thread?

I have dealt would Sunil and all I can say is to stay away from him. I don't know much about Brian Berdan but I would say give him a chance. I used to deal with Brooks Berdan all the time. He was very fair and congenial. I think there is a store in Santa Monica that also carries Wilson. I am sure you can find it on the Wilson website..

Taters, the "Worst Dealers" thread was about a month ago, it seems to me. I'll try and find it.

Statman, I too first encountered Brooks at GNP, in 1984. He wasn't even part owner of the shop, but did all their turntable set-ups (and was involved in the design of the GNP speakers). GNP was the other retailer (besides Randy at Optimal Enchantment) in the L.A area selling Audio Research/Vandersteen/Cardas (those three were often sold as a system). It was at GNP that Brooks came up with his mod for the Oracle Delphi turntable (which is what put him on the map, so to speak), using the knowledge he gained while involved in race car design and applying it to tables. The suspension of a turntable share similarities, it turns out, with a car's suspension, being a tuned system with resonant frequencies and spring rates. Brooks had to sell what GNP was a dealer of, of course, so when I expressed interest in the VPI HW-19 and Rega RB300 (neither of which GNP sold), he realized I knew too much to be able to talk me into an Oracle with a Sumiko Premier MMT!