Andrew Singer Of "Sound by Singer" passed away yesterday

I visited Andy’s downtown store many times while still a budding audiophile in the ‘80s. Always a terrific experience. My favorite shop in NYC. It was there that l met salesmen Steve Guttenberg (very nice remembrance from Steve above) and Bob ? as well as Andy himself. They were always helpful and patient with this then very “green” enthusiast and who was clearly not the “Rolex” type. One of the things that I always appreciated about visiting Andy’s shop was the fact that on most visits at least as much time was spent talking about music as was spent talking about audio. I remember well the excitement with which Andy once mentioned that he was going to hear the Swing Jazz (now star) Ken Peplowski. Not many had even heard of Ken at the time. It was also there that I learned some of the most important audio lessons, the importance of component synergy and in the process heard what to this day is one of the most memorable systems that I have ever heard.

The Audio Research SP9 had gotten a glowing review in TAS and was declared a true giant killer. I took the plunge and went on to pay list price and make my very first purchase of a brand new product. Excitement is an understatement to describe how I felt taking it home and installing it in my system. Distress is an understatement when the sound of my system turned out to be terrible. Thin and bleached out. I let it burn in for three weeks and finally gave up and took it back to Andy hoping I could exchange it for something else. Andy proceeded to install it in one of the systems in the shop in order to make sure there wasn’t something wrong with the SP9 and the sound was glorious. To this day one of the most musically realistic I have ever heard. I’ll never forget that system: Roxan Xerxes tt, Koetsu Rosewood Sig, SP9, Manley monos and Snell Type A iii. Andy gave me a store credit. I bought several pieces from Andy over the years.

Sound By Singer was a no nonsense operation with passion for the hobby and for music. In my opinion some buyers walk into audio salons with an attitude that is not conducive to receiving good service. Andy will be missed.

BTW, does anyone remember Bob? He went on to work at Lyric. Terrific guy and a real music lover. Have often wondered what happened to him.

RIP Andy Singer...the legend. Andy was an excellent businessman, and a BIG man. I rarely saw him smile but was always very professional. He offered to hire me at one point, as long as I brought with me my client list. I did buy a handful of items through S.B.S. Andy, and the entire staff, including Steve G, hated horns at that time, which were my favorite. Yes, Andy and Steve were tight. Again, RIP Andy. My condolences to the Singer family, friends and the audio equipment buyers from the NY, NJ and CT areas. MrD.

I was in the 15th Street store years ago for a manufacturer's rep night.  Can't recall the speakers, but I think it was VAC gear. After the demos, Andy asked me what I thought of the sound. I sheepishly replied that I could never afford the speakers being demonstrated.  He was very gracious and said he didn't care, he really wanted to know what I thought.  I found him very pleasant.  I did listen to some less expensive speakers in the side room with the glass wall.  All I could think was "where's the bass?" RIP, Andy.

I don't remember him but I bought a couple of items there including my first pair of Dynaudios... I think they may have been $1200 for the pair. I owned a small industrial business in Chelsea at the time and always wore jeans which could get dirty. No Rolex. They let me audition the Dynaudios with source material I brought and left me alone. A good experience.

A legend, esp. in NY!!!