Planning audio audition trip to NY/NJ, vendors???

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'd second the above two suggestions. The Red Rose stuff has always impressed me as being what this hobby should be about. Another place with good equipment and nice folks in Upper Montclair, NJ is CSA Audio, 973-744-0600, 193 Bellvue Avenue. Mike O'Keefe, the guy who turned me on to tubes and analog, has recently rejoined them and done a nice job setting up their high-end showroom, bringing back analog to that room with a nicely set up Nottingham table (probably one of the few places around you can hear that table).

I'll answer two ways. Stay away from and visit:

IN NYC, STAY AWAY FROM:
Sound by Singer
Stereo Exchange
Lyric

IN NYC VISIT:
Innovative
Park Ave. Audio

If you can make it to Wilmington, De. hit Overture. In N. NJ, besides John Ruttan at Audio Connections, hit CSA Audio and tell Mike O'Keefe hello. If you can make it north of NYC, hit Toys from the Attic. Great guys with great new & used gear at fair prices.

I am not the best person to discuss the North Jersey/NYC dealers, so I will leave it to people such as the wonderful Rcprince...

I can speak at length on what is in and around the Philadelphia area. There are several dealers, but I believe that things are better in NJ/NYC. Although, you will not have to put up with as much attitude here, in most cases.

Here is a short list of a few of the high end dealers in my area:
1) Community Audio. Chestnut Hill(NW) section of Philadelphia. John Adams is the owner, and a very, very nice guy. I consider him a friend. The greatest asset is that he will allow you to listen in a relaxed, no pressure atmosphere, yet will be as involved in guiding you along as you would like. Brands: NAD, Jolida, Cambridge, Rega, Rogue, Linn, Naim, Electrocompaniet, Totem, JMlabs, Nova, Osborn, Music Hall, Creek, Ixos, RedGum, etc.

2) Stereo Trading Outlet. Jenkintown(5 minutes north of Philly), PA. Mike Leshner is also a very good guy(also a friend), and his store has always specialized in used, high end equipment. He also carries new products, but I feel the discounts offered for the used merchandise overshadowed the new stuff. You can also listen in a relaxed, no hassle environment. A visit is only necessary if you are interested in listening to the used inventory, as an up to date list is on their website(www.tsto.com). Brands: any and all used, Paradigm, Pass Labs, Canton, Marantz, Sherwood Newcastle, Sunfire, Cary(limited selection, but I guess he can order it), PS Audio, etc.

3) David Lewis Audio. Northeast Philadelphia. Ah, now we get into a guy who a lot of people absolutely abhor as the typical, nose in the air high end dealer. Dave Serota is the owner, and I find him to be better in person than over the phone. I deal with him well, and even purchased my Jadis amp from him. Yes, he is opinionated. Yes, he might tell you that you will not be able to listen to anything else today. But, I believe he honestly tries to offer his customers the BEST in audio. And, will not carry a brand he does not believe in. In terms of sound, support(why he doesn't carry Jadis any longer), and the whole package. Store really does well in terms of tubes(especially SET) and vinyl. No HT. Brands: Air Tight, Cary, Kimber/Kimber Select, Synergistic Research, Nordost, VAC, Vans Evers, Montana, Monitor, NAD, JMlabs, Acoustic Energy, YBA, Audio Refinement, etc.

4) Soundex. Willow Grove(5 minutes north of Jenkintown), PA. OK, here is another place that could be considered a bit snobby. But, I find them to allow one to listen in whatever manner they like. Yes, they are there to make money. And, yes, they think they are audio dieties, but they carry very high level equipment, and will allow you to do pretty much what you please while you are there. They are pleasant in person. The place is massive, and you could easily get lost, or spend an entire day there. Along with the industry, they went HT in a very big way. Brands(reads like an 80s - 90s Murderer's Row): Audio Research, Mark Levinson, Krell, Martin Logan, MIT, Wadia, Dynaudio, Proac, etc.

HiFi House. Jenkintown and Broomall(20 minutes west of Philadelphia), PA. Relaxed and good people. Sort of the normal high end retailer. Brands: B&W, Definitive Technology, Bryston, Paradigm, etc.

I would like to mention some others. Danby Radio, who carried B&W, Alliante, Sunfire, and Conrad Johnson, but I believe they may have closed, so I cannot fully list them as a place to see. David Mann Audio is also OK, but I wouldn't really take time to see the store. Quest For Sound is also in Northeast Philadelphia, but isn't a store, but an e-tailer(sells out of his home) here on Audiogon. Good brands, but you will be doing business over the net, and will not be really going there in person.

re: Camadeco's suggestions, while I agree that you should stay away from Sound by Singer, I disagree with his advice on Lyric and Park Avenue. I recommend Lyric, as being very helpful, knowledgeable and responsive, and have found Park Avenue just the opposite, and snobby to boot.