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

Just for the sake of adding to the din regarding the NYC standard haunts, as well as possibly demonstrating that it can all depend on the luck of the draw when you walk in the door, I've had wonderful experiences at Innovative; fair to good experiences at Park Audio; both great and awful experiences at Singer (my favorite guy left, alas); reliably mediocre times at the Stereo Exchange; and after one trip uptown to Lyric to hear the Maggies, I never made it back. Yes, and Red Rose is a treat -- and you can pop into the Whitney while you're at it. While the New York city audio salons are certainly not the most reliably user-friendly, you can't knock the selection....

Toys from the Attic, in White Plains, NY (about 45 minutes from 42nd St) is great for used gear (and new gear, too!). I've been a customer since they started. They have a great depth of knowledge because they constantly take home used gear to play with. Check their website at tfta.com Jim's my regular salesman. Tell him Steve Cuskley sent you!

I agree with Stevegolf1 - Toys From The Attic in White Plains is a GREAT place to go. Jim, Bill and Mike are VERY knowledgeable about all kinds of gear and are glad to just hang and talk audio with you. Their prices are fair and they are simply some of the nicest guys I've met in the audio retail business. No stuck up, condescending "audio" attitudes there - just nice, down to earth folks who love audio as much as we do and who are always willing to help.

Most of my stereo came from Toys From The Attic in White Plains.I bought new,used and demo.Every piece I bought was like new.The prices were the best I could find.I always did business directly with Mario,the owner.His staff very pleasant but when I buy I want the top guy to take care of me.Mario helped me break into analog and spent countless hours on the phone with me helping me with set up etc.He even guided me through the complete set up of one table I bought from him over the phone.Of course it was my dime!Anyone thinking of getting into analog or anyone looking to upgrade should give Mario a call.He is a true analog child prodigy :~)MJH049-I would plan to visit White Plains on your trip.Besides an audio shop,Mario and John have one of the best guitar departments in the country.Im sure you would have a good time hanging out.

TFTA is a super place, I love going there and hanging out, hopefully I get to do it again soon. Like everyone else said they are super there, easy to get along with and human! The audio dealers up here(albany area) have issues and I avoid at all costs. Also worth mentioning I was into the watch collection at TFTA(my other hobby) which is very impressive, to me an how. Mario is a super individule, the moment we met he made me feel as if we had known each other for years, we spoke on the phone a few times prior to meeting and he saw my watch from across the room and said "so your Tim the Tire Guy, nice to meet you" with such confidence even if I wasn't me I would have to agree with him :) I look forward to doing some business with them.