How many dealers do you use?

I use 3 dealers for different upgrades.

There is one brick and mortar in St Louis, Music for Pleasure, that I’ve used consistently in the past when buying products that they represent. Another that I used didn’t have a formal brick and mortar, operating out of his house, but is no longer in business. I’ve also worked with a couple of other dealers/distributors who do not have a formal brick and mortar shop, AAudio Imports and Laufer Teknik. For all three, I trust their input and recommendations. While I’ve also bought used gear over the years, I believe it’s important to establish a personal relationship with a dealer to gain their insights and recommendations, have the ability to audition in your own home, and to have support after the sale. Knowing someone personally always beats a 1-800 number, and the only way to have them survive as businesses is to support them.

I generally have a dealer that I know well and knows me. Typically the relationship lasts for twenty years or more. The alignment first comes from the brands he/she carries, as this shows a common sensibility. I occasionally buy some things on line or from another dealer as he is not able to carry every brand. For instance the Transparent dealer was already in place. His insights and exposure to products is greater than mine. He is constantly learning, goes to audio shows at least once a year, advanced training classes (e.g., Linn master class). This does not mean I am not learning constantly, I am… but he does this 50 hours a week. He Is exposed to dozens of high end systems that he has installed in vastly different acoustical space.

I will as a question of a product and get back a very detailed and nuanced objective description using standard audiophile terminology which allows me to decide if what ever it is will have the effect or quality I am looking for and if it is cost effective to me.


I credit my dealer with joint design of my system. He pushed me to try a component I was not interested in, that had a profoundly positive impact on my system. My system is both of our favorites.