How many dealers do you use?

0 for over a dozen years.last dealer was the used dealer in pdx. I attended ces and rmaf and got many ideas on what to get. Problem with most dealers is that they don’t have all the gear you want. 1 dealer might have the speakers you want, but not the amp or dac. No dealer is going to recommend a piece of equipment that they don’t sell. I always try to buy new equipment with a 30 day return policy or if I buy used, I’m prepared to delist the piece if I don’t like it

I would like to use a dealer(s) for the benefit of their advice. Can anyone recommend a dealer they have had good experience with either in Manhattan or around the New Haven, CT area? Thanks.

Had patronized a few back in the day (last 20-30 years), but only one surviving now even within any reasonable distance. I am buying a cartridge and probably a pair of speakers from them as we speak. They did make the move to mid to high end home theater (necessary at the time), but retained audio as well. And some of the original guys still there.

@bslon 

Echo Audio?

I have been involved with a local audio society for a dozen or so years.  Many of our meetings are hosted by B&M dealers.  While I don't make many audio related purchases, I try to patronize those dealers when I can.  That said, there is one dealer that stands, for me, head and shoulders above the rest.  John Rutan at Audio Connection is not only one of the most skilled and knowledgeable people in this space, but he is also kind, helpful, and genuinely interested in helping people get the best sounding system they can afford.  If I told you what he did to help me solve a challenging problem I was having with my system, none of which was purchased from John, I might add, your jaw would drop.  So, insofar as I might make any future purchases, I will try to support him. Another great dealer I would like to support is Larry Borden of Distinctive Stereo.  Another true gentleman, who is also extremely talented and genuinely interested in helping people get great sound in a domestic setting.