Yea, none of the names in NYC really deal in used gear any more -- there's no profit in it. Stereo Exchange used to carry a very large stock of used equipment and was the place to go, but they've discontinued it entirely. Singer may have 4-5 items, if that. If you ask them if they'll buy used items as part of an upgrade (say, looking to upgrade your Thiel 2.3s to 2.4s, which I would have done had they been even slightly willing to accommodate), they'll literally tell you to sell the old stuff on Audiogon, 'cause you'll get more for it there (here) anyway. Which, of course, is true. Fact is, if you're going to buy used, this is the spot -- and the brick and mortar folks know they can't get enough of a markup on used stuff to make it worth their while. So, at least in NYC, they generally don't bother any more. Theyre definitely prickly about folks looking to explore and later buy used for 1/2 price on line and the audio tourist from out of town just looking to kick some tires. Hey, no reason not to look, but approach accordingly and youre experience could be better than otherwise.
In terms of who's who, over the years, I've spent a fair amount of time (and some $$) at each of Singer, Stereo Exchange, In Living Stereo, and Innovative. Went to Lyric once, managed to get someone to fire up the Maggies briefly, was blown off, and never made it back. Generally, the lot is hit or miss, but expect not to be all that pleased with your experience, unless you get lucky. Innovative Audio has seemed to be the most consistently positive in my experience (spent a long time A-Bing three sets of speakers there which I ultimately bought elsewhere, but they were so helpful that I ultimately returned and bought a matching demoed center from them for way more than it was worth). Singer's had the largest swings in my book, been blown off, been given free stuff concocted by the Russian tech in the service department as a general good-will-building exercise. In Living Stereo is a really small outfit (other places, youre usually at the mercy of luck of the draw regarding whos up for the next customer, assuming theres even someone free), while at ILS youre usually dealing with the owner, who seems to be a moods cuss. Sometimes chatty and helpful, often not so much but he does have some nice gear that no one else in the city seems to have. Stereo Exchange has got some decent folks, but, again, moody. Finally, a lot of the folks at any given spot seem to have worked at at least one of the other ones at one point or another. Yea, seems a smallish world. Going as off-hour as possible and generally being friendly (and knowledgable) works wonders. That, or know exactly what you want and make it happen.
Anyway, best of luck. Theres certainly lots to explore, but, sorry to say, not exactly user-friendly and I wouldnt expect folks to make is easy on you....
