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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
p59teitel
312 posts
 
R0817, you should post what speakers you're looking to audition so you can get more helpful responses than just good guy/bad guy stuff like we've been posting. :)
zkzpb8
212 posts
 
Definitely outside the City is better. Years ago I had a conversation with a very well know speaker designer. I told him I was in NYC and he directed me to audio connection in NJ. He told me to avoid the pompous NYC store that carried his gear! Sounded funny coming from a manufacturer, usually it's the customers complaining.

I like In Living Stereo - I thought they were always easy going. They have a new store which is a big improvement over their old space.

I haven't dealt with Andy in his new space. did, however, buy some Harbeth P3's last year from him, so he deals with lower priced clients too...
jerico
131 posts
 
I had a good experience with Kenny at Sound by Singer - he wasn't pushy and he gave me some advice I'm very happy with.

Stereo Exchange guys seem to be a good lot too.
bondmanp
1,804 posts
 
My favorites in Jersey:

AudioConnection in Verona
Audio Nexus in Summit - I have only had positive experiences
Xtreme Fidelity in Kinnelon - nice guys, great product lines
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I had somwhat similar experience with Sound by Singer.
Their level of customer service will grow as you'll show desire to spend more or deep pocket.
I walked in there just to buy the analogue cartridge remembered to be one of my first Sumiko BPS.
The purchase looked like buying some groceries: "Analogue carts are on that shelf... go take a look". So I went, asked to remove from locked shelf, picked up, paid and took my way out... The Best Buy purchases of the same magnitude would look much more nicer.

Park Avenue Audio is probably out of business long time ago. Been there wasn't impressed by the equipment in stock. Their listening room would probably jeopardise most of the system performance criterias so auditioning there would not give you lots of usefull information.

The best dealers around NYC are outside NYC megapolis:
Had been dealing with TFTA in Westchester -- The personnel is extreamly knowlegable, great choice of 'toys', lots of vintage equipment for those who're interested.

Audioconnection in Verona NJ only 26mi from NYC: Probably the best listening rooms and huge array of the equipment. Exellent analogue choices. The only downside that JohnnyR constantly dogmatizing Vandys being the best of any kind where he might be wrong. Judge yourself if you visit coz none regrets visiting this place and neither do I.
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