Audio Research Reference 5 SE Preamps For Sale?

I have dealt would Sunil and all I can say is to stay away from him. I don't know much about Brian Berdan but I would say give him a chance. I used to deal with Brooks Berdan all the time. He was very fair and congenial. I think there is a store in Santa Monica that also carries Wilson. I am sure you can find it on the Wilson website..

Taters, the "Worst Dealers" thread was about a month ago, it seems to me. I'll try and find it.

Statman, I too first encountered Brooks at GNP, in 1984. He wasn't even part owner of the shop, but did all their turntable set-ups (and was involved in the design of the GNP speakers). GNP was the other retailer (besides Randy at Optimal Enchantment) in the L.A area selling Audio Research/Vandersteen/Cardas (those three were often sold as a system). It was at GNP that Brooks came up with his mod for the Oracle Delphi turntable (which is what put him on the map, so to speak), using the knowledge he gained while involved in race car design and applying it to tables. The suspension of a turntable share similarities, it turns out, with a car's suspension, being a tuned system with resonant frequencies and spring rates. Brooks had to sell what GNP was a dealer of, of course, so when I expressed interest in the VPI HW-19 and Rega RB300 (neither of which GNP sold), he realized I knew too much to be able to talk me into an Oracle with a Sumiko Premier MMT!

bdp24,

I remember that turntable as I had one. It was my last turntable purchased. The suspension mod was needed for that turntable. I am slowly returning to vinyl as I still have my LP's of course! Randy is very knowledgeable with Audio Research, and has been a dealer for many years. If he were closer I would use him more for gear. The west side was a goldmine for audio dealers in the "golden years". Made a few trips to Jonas Miller for product. Then Christopher Hansen, who reminds me of Sunil Then they all moved, and then went out of business.