I hate stereo stores But found the next best thing


I have been to all types of stereo stores. There are the big box stores - no help or knowledge to be found. There are the hi-fi niche shops - some are good - mostly overpriced and snobby. There are some used hi-end shops - they are OK but never seem to have anything I want.


Then I met a couple of Brothers (Dale and Chris) in Eugene Oregon. They own www.eugenehifi.com. I am in the market for some speakers! I found a pair that I liked at one of those local niche shops. I found the same speaker line that I liked on their website - so I decided to place a call. These guys are all about achieving the ultimate sonic experience and really finding out what is important to me (what a concept). Their attention to detail is second to none.

Their listening room is in their house - how different is that - its compfortable and has the same sound challenges as any other room - i.e. mine and yours. I liked that because I know that I will not be hanging acoustic panels(or anything else) in my living room to help the sound.

They carry just a few lines of gear - some I have heard of and others I have not, like Sonneteer and Neat Acoustics. This combination is incredible. Great gear from the UK. These are moderately priced combinations.

Check out their website and give them a call. I am glad I did and I will be back! I generally do not post good experiences, but when you run into the occasional exceptional one, you need to tell somebody about it.

Thanks

mattcone
I have never met these guys, but I did encounter Dale via email several days ago. He contacted me regarding an ad that I had posted here and helped me out of a situation that I didn't even realize I was in. After several emails I picked up the phone and called to thank him personally. He is genuinely interested and involved in this wonderful hobby of ours, and had nothing to gain by reaching out to me except my respect and possibly my future business. If his brother is anything like him, these guys are the kind of fellows I want to be dealing with. Thank you Dale and kudos to the brothers at eugenehifi.com.
I think it's good to post stuff like this. I made some purchasing mistakes listening to some hi fi stereo shops until I found (www.audiblearts.com)Jeff. I didn't trust him because of prior experience and in the end I learned the expensive way that he was right about everything (shares the same preferences as I do). He sells what he likes the best and is not locked in to any product line. I buy new when I can just to support him because I would never be able to have found the right components by reading online forums or reviews.

Congratulations! on finding an honest dealer.

By the way he is in the bay area (San Jose).
I would invite anyone in the Bay Area to contact Matt Rotunda at Pitch Perfect Audio (www.pitcherfectaudio.com).

Matt personifies customer service, has great ears and carries exquisite products (Shindo, Devore, etc.). I paid a visit to Matt's home-based showroom last month and was treated to french-pressed coffee, pastries and most importantly, great music reproduced through great components.

I voted with my wallet and placed my order for a Shindo Monbrison preamp two weeks ago.

IMHO, Matt has "cracked the code" when it comes to high-end audio purchasing experience.
Great people + great equipment + great music + great environment + great service = very satisfied audiophool!
I also sell stereo gear in my house. I've got a nice dedicated acoustically treated room in what I like to consider a completely relaxing atmosphere. As far as I'm concerned if someone wants something that's good but if they don't I always enjoy the conversations. The Brick and Mortor stores are a dying breed in my opinion. I had a guy drive up from Corvallis yesterday which is a good hour drive. He was far more impressed with what I have than what he heard at the local shops here in Portland. Another guy last week told me outright he just wanted to hear my speakers. He later emailed me thanking me very much. This is also my hobby, as a matter of fact it's mainly my hobby.

The one thing I try to make sure is that people are totally comfortable. No attitudes whatsoever. We all have opinions and that's that. To be honest anybody is welcome, I don't care if they want anything or not. I just love talking to other audiophiles. We're a rare breed.