Hi Fi Dealers in NYC - where to find them?

Innovative Audio is great. I stopped by there on a visit about two years ago. I spoke with Elliott for some time. He was really a good guy. I stopped by another shop but they have since closed. I really can't remember the name but I auditioned the Magico M5 and V3.

Here's another nod to Innovative Audio. In my search for just-right monitors earlier this year, Bruce Deegan was informative and very accommodating. I did three separate, 2 1/2 hour auditioning sessions alone with the equipment and my own music, and, when I sought it, with Bruce's very perceptive insight into my listening preferences and guidance. It was customer service the way it should be. Indeed, I ultimately did not purchase from Innovative; but only because I decided on a speaker they don't carry, and Innovative was not put off in the slightest. We discussed the decision and they understood and endorsed it. When the upgrade urge next hits me, I will certainly return to Innovative; Bruce earned it.

Park Avenue Audio is still very much in business (a poster above wasn't sure). In fact, they are moving across the street to larger digs early next year, which will greatly and expand and improve listening room capacity. Glenn and Igor are good guys at Park Ave.

As others have noted, Stereo Exchange is approachable and has some good people working there. They also have interesting used equipment on the floor at fair prices. But the store gets very heavy foot traffic, and the staff is often distracted and pulled in different directions. Better to make an appointment.

I have been to most of the other NYC stores mentioned in this thread, and it's true that customers are too quickly sized up as either "ready cash," or not. It's unfortunate because in this town, the cover often does not reveal the book. My guess is that these stores needlessly are off-putting and lose sales to audiophiles who are serious buyers, albeit not hedge fund types.

HIGH WATER SOUND WONDERFUL FRIENDLY HONEST!!!!

Good luck with Audio Nexus. I need a sarcasm font on my keyboard. BA there. (bad attitude)

Wow. All these posts bring back old memories. My 1st audiophile listening g experience was somewhere in the village listening to a Rega with Spica TC50s I think. At that time Stereo Exchnage wasa few blocks over down the street. Wanted a Pink Triangle turntable back then but I was in High School and that kind of money was a dream. Later Stereo Exchange waived and had the Apogee Divas set upon a massive room. I forget the amps but one of the best sounding systems I ever heard. The room was huge. Those were the days.

I went to Sound By Singer when they were upstairs selling Linn and a few other things. It wa fun and Andy is something special. Left me confused. At that time dealers were dealers and opinions from them were gold as forums and the Internet was something not in existence. I listened am y a time in the 33rd street location of Sound by Singer and was given a nice amount of freedom. Salespeople were there to sell but are helpful as well. I have dealt with Elliiott of Innivative and they are very accommodating during weekdays.

I am friends with Jeff from before he owned High Water Sound. One great guy and he is opinionated but honest. Very accommodating. They have some amazing equipment these days. Worth just going for a listen to hear what is out there. His store is really nice size room. You get a feel for the sound in a real world situation.

There aremorebutmy favorite memory of all time is of Lyric HiFi. I was wearing a Greek Week T short and Mr Kay thought I was Greek. He let me into the vault to hear one amazing system. Infiniti IRS Betas driven by Levinson 20.5s on the bass, and the dual chassis Carver tube mono blocks onthe Ribbons. I think the preamp was a top of the line dual chassis CJ. Amazing doesn't get there. That was when Lyric was Lyric. Many of these dealers were around from the beginning of Hi End audio and they need to be respected for how much they contributed to building the industry and the hobby.

Without them much of what we hear today would not exist and it would be a tweaker industry.