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Hi Fi Dealers in NYC - where to find them?

Here's a phenomenon I want to share with you. I'm not far from NY City but had a hard time finding decent hifi dealers where I can audition different gears (speakers, pre, power amp, turntable, etc) for buying in the future.

I know hifi dealer is becoming a rarity even in big cities like NYC. The two dealers in NYC I visited were snobbish, pushy and money-oriented. They were not willing to demo equipment that a customer is not buying on spot. I admit I'm not nearly as knowledgable as them. But a potential buyer needs to be educated by ways of auditioning.

Maybe they already have plenty of business. Aren't they loosing potential buyers because of the way they treat customers?

Anyhow, do you know any decent and friendly dealers in NYC, NJ and CT?

Thanks in advance.
r0817
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
tfta.com in westchester.
audioconnection in verona nj.
sound by singer not sure but around east village.
davidny
11 posts
 
Try Bill Parish of GTT Audio in Long Valley, NJ. Great guy and terrific sounding equipment.
p59teitel
314 posts
 
I'll second Al's recommendation for Take 5 Audio. Ralph the owner was exceptionally pleasant and helpful in late October when I was there auditioning speakers - to the point that although I ending up purchasing speakers elsewhere, I am buying their demo Ayre C-5xe CD player to top off my new system.

I spent 2+ hours in his main listening room checking out Wilson Sashas and Revel Ultima Salon 2s, and another half hour with him in his office discussing my room and plans. At no point did I feel pressured, rushed or that I was being spoken down to, even though this is the first "audiophile" level system that I've assembled. It was a 125 mile drive for me, and in retrospect I'd drive twice that far to deal with someone as knowledgeable and as good a guy as Ralph.

Good luck,
Pete
jerico
131 posts
 
+1 on Stereo Exchange downtown, and Sound By Singer (appointment only nowadays I think though).

I find Lyric too snooty to bother with.
raquel
841 posts
 
Lyric, Innovative Audio, and Stereo Exchange are all well established dealers. I think Park Avenue Audio may still be around, too, but it's somewhat more of a mid-fi store.

The stored referred to in Schipo's post is Lyric - they can sometimes be fine, and other times be obnoxious. Bob Herman's not a bad guy.

Sound by Singer has recently reopened on an "by appointment" basis only. Andy Singer can be obnoxious and arrogant.

Ears Nova is also by appointment.

CSA Audio in Montclair, NJ, is a friendly bunch of guys who are knowledgeable and have a lot of good product.

Audio Doctor in Jersey City, NJ, is very knowledgeable and has good product.

The most interesting store in Manhattan in my opinion is MSS HiFi, which is a big used equipment dealer. The owner, John Boey, is a character, but he often has great used equipment at bargain prices.

People selling luxury goods in New York City are often going to be obnoxious and have attitudes - in their defense, they deal with a lot of arrogant, entitled customers.
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