Suggestions needed. Speaker audition...Dallas?

Too far for top notch service?

Another suggestion of merit is Casey Mckee of Ne Plus Ultra in Austin, who has possibly the broadest range of the finest electronics and speakers on display that I have _ever_ seen outside of NYC (SBS) and Delaware (Overture), and I have seen the inside of most of the US best 2ch. retailers.

I know that is outside of Dallas, but he is well worth the trip. Dallas Audio Concepts is the best store I have been to in Dallas. I've not been in Vu's new store.

Sorry so long getting back on my trip.
We had a great time visiting a few of the recommended dealers. We were being chauffeured by friends that live in Dallas. They have no real appreciation for audio. To them fm radio is as good as it gets.

We managed to visit 5 of the recommended stores. All were courteous and helpful. Of note were Crystal Clear Audio and John Fort Audio. Don and John both went out of there way to make us comfortable and try to guide us in the right direction.

At Crystal Clear we had a discussion about my equiptment, plans for upgrades, and what I was looking for in speakers. The recommendation was Dynaudio audience 82. The audition room was a bit small for this speaker but sound was great. When we left I really felt I had found a speaker that would work for me. Don was very helpful and it showed why his store is rated so high.

Next up John Fort. After a brief discussion we decided to listen to the Gallo 3.1's and Vandersteens. Gallo's first and as soon as Patricia Barber's cd began I knew we were in store for something special. A few minutes into the first cut Dennis(one of the Dallas friends) leaned over and asked "does this sound as good as I think it does?". My reply, yes! Everything we were looking for. We listened to the Vandy's next but honestly know one was interested. We all wanted another round with the Gallo's but just couldn't justify taking up more of John's time.

To everyone who contributed to this thread a sincere Thank You. Your suggestions made our audition trip a huge success.
Steve

I really enjoy John Fort Audio. While their showrooms aren't as fancy as many others (unless they've changed since my last visit), it's the best place if you want to let the systems speak for themselves.

My first visit, I walked in with a stack of source material and was promptly and politely shown to one of their rooms. After being left alone to my own devices for over an hour (which I thouroughly appreciated), my Catholic guilt started to kick in (even though I did not want to leave) and went back to the main office to thank John and Duncan. Their response - "What?!?! You're done already?"

They don't hover. They don't mock your equipment or choices. They don't tell you what is the "best". They help make you feel confortable and put you in the mood to listen to music - then they let their goods speak for themselves. They know their stuff, but don't feel the need to prove anything (unlike other dealers I've experienced).

While I did not, nor have not, purchased anything from John Fort Audio, I put them very high on the list of dealers to check out in Dallas.