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Could I use my analog hifi system for commerical bar?

Dear gentlemen, 

I would need your kind advices on this.

COVID, recession, stock market, my business went downhill in the past 2 years and it is now to the point that I call it quit on my current business operation. 

I'm thinking of an idea to bring my home hifi system to "hustle on the street" and earn some buck along the way before I'm able to do something bigger. 

I'm thinking of opening a hifi/audiophile (vinyl) bar, which is not so common in my area here, and I think there is a good market for that. However, I'm not financially capable of buying a whole new system, I can spare about $20k extra on audio equipment, the rest of my pocket is only enough to pay for rents/labour + other equipment for catering at the moment.

Here is my humble current set up at home:

1. Joseph Audio flagship Pearl speakers

2. Soure: vintage Thornes TD125 Long Base with Audio Technica VM760SLC MM Cart.

3. Rega Fono Mini A2D phonostage

4. Rouge Audio Cronos Magnum Integrated Amp 1st generation (as a preamp)

5. Bel Canto REF1000M Monoblocks

6. I have a Supratek Cortese coming in the next few months which can replace both the Rega & Rouge Audio.

So here are my questions:

1. How big is the venue should I be looking at for a comfortable volume that people can enjoy the music, not counting other operation space for example bar/kitchen etc... Are these speakers capable of a 1000 square feet venue at 90+db?

2. Is the systems capable of heavy duty job that make them runs 8-10 hours a day? Maybe 12hrs during the weekends. 

3. I possible thinking of selling away the vintage Thorens and buy 2 Technics Direct Drive TT because of its robust construction, and slowly turns them into a DJ booth with mixer too. Is that a good idea?

4. With all the bar fixtures, guests, could this system perform well at an "acceptable" audiophile level  with proper room treatments? I know this is a vague statement, but I just think my Pearls speakers is a much better pair than other bars with JBLs. 

5. With an extra $20k on audio equipment, what should I be upgrading/changing? I must add that I don't think selling my current set up is a good idea at the local market here, so I don't think I will sell everything to buy a new system. 

6. What else should I be aware of from the experienced guys here on this kind of venture?

Thank you guys so much!

K.

hoangkhoi1207
hoangkhoi1207 OP
9 posts
 

Hey guys firstly thanks so much for your responds. 

And yes, there are people who actually wants to listen to higher quality music at a bar while socialise & having a good drink at the same time. I do, too. 

I have been to a few music bar in Singapore where music is not blasting at your face and hurt your ears, you can still sit down and talk and when you are not talking, you can clearly hear music playing nicely at a comfortable zone. 

Likely to what some of you recommended, most of the places I have been to around Asia here use more efficient horn speakers like Klipsch, but since I have my own speakers I thought if it is possible for me to utilise it since I'm not very financially capable at the moment. If it allows, I may start with a small area of 400-500sq ft/ 40-50m2 venue, so I wonder if my Joseph Audio Pearl could fill the space? I'm trying to look for a guide on speaker size/room volume to learn, if you guys know about it, please let me know. 

I can start with small venue first, and can always upgrades venue/electronics/speaker along the way if this works well. 

Also, do you guys think using the systems for hours everyday would worn it down very fast?

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,985 posts
 

The Link is showing a little bit of coverage on the subject of a Vinyl LP themed venue.

 

buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
588 posts
 

Op , check out ESP bar in Denver Co. Coffee bar by day, drinks at night. Tubes , Klipsch, TT. 

hoangkhoi1207 OP
9 posts
 

Thank you guys very much. That was tremendous help, I’ll check out the links & recommendation. 

yyzsantabarbara
5,114 posts
 

They have a place(s) like this in Los Angeles. I would love to hit them up but I hate driving to L.A.

I think your gear would be a great source of music in a bar like this. I would check with Joseph Audio if their speakers will last playing continuously for so long. If they die you can replace them or something equivalent for around $5 - $10K used.

I would love to go to a bar that had a KEF Blades blasting tunes with that massive sweet spot. I bet a few older model Blades will be coming up on sale soon.

There are also those new fully active speakers that could be a destination listen for some people like me. Kii, KEF LS60, and a few others I cannot remember. I would contact the manufacturers about loaning their speakers to you since you will provide them with a high-volume listening environment.

Man, I miss going out to the bars with my buddies.

 

 

 

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