When did you last visit a HiFi dealer ?

[Spectral Morn]

Interesting thread the days of the so called hi street dealer that you could visit and see interesting bits has gone. I remember the good old days I used to visit Subjective audio in the 80,s and there was so much interesting esoterica, you could go to audio T and the the likes who had some of the wall equiptment, you have to admire our very own David Wren of Radlett Audio who was like a pioneer back in the day selling nice quirky gear whos shop in wattling Street was amazing haven with so much interesting bits lurking around I remember being mesmorised by what was on offer, then Vinyl Tube Audio in London so many great Valve amps and lovely turntables. These sort of outfits hardly exist these days even good old Walrus had to shut shop.

We still have some fantastic dealers who stock some interesting great bits but most of them are forced to work from home for economic reasons, the likes of Radlett audio, guildford audio, acoustic arts all work from home still managing to supply some great gear and provide fantastic knowledgable service but as for high street retailers nah they either are forced to sell AV or boring run of the mill gear. I visit a rather quirky dealer in Watford regularly Unique Audio who works from from and is able to demo gear that would simply not be possible to listen to in a normal shop as the market is just so small and specialised. Because he is passionate and small with low overheads he is able to invest in some great items that would not be possible.

We do have the odd wonderful dealer who has a commercial premises who are able to stock some high end maybe more mainstream gear but we have the the likes of Midland audio and definitive audio who are trying to facilitate the market which is simply no easy. My hats of to all these dealers who are trying there best to make a living in a hard market.

I often visit Hong Kong and singapore the markets are very different in asia where there are so many dealers who can demo all sorts of weird and wonderful bits even there many dont work from conventional shops. Uk hifi shops to me are the thing of the past and I as a punter have to be very selective as to where I spend my dosh. Compared to some countries we are forunate that we have some choice and because the UK has some great history and is established many dealers try and stick it out one way of the other.

Vinyl Tube Audio in Fortress Road was a lovely shop.

[hifi_dave]

I would agree that the average customer is male of a certain age but I have been encouraged, recently, by an influx of 'youngsters' buying their first turntable, usually a Rega P1 or P2.



PS. It's my 6000 post. Yippee..

[Dubmart]

I think there is hope for a new generation of enthusiasts, I recently cleared out my stash of Pioneer PL-12Ds, two went to people in their twenties and one to someone in his thirties, (all men, then last weekend my 15 year old nephew told me he wanted to get a record deck, we're still discussing it, but he will likely end up with a modded SL-1210 and pair of Tannoys I have lying around just need to find him an amp, if he shows further interest we'll take it from there. I guess the problem for the future is a smaller percentage of young people are into physical formats, there are less shops for them to wander into and no cassettes to buy which is why myself and some of my friends started venturing into real hi fi shops, plus what pass as entry systems are plastic crap and decent entry systems seem to cost a lot more than when I was a teenager. There will always be some people who appreciate better sound and are willing to search it out, we just have to find and encourage them.

[montesquieu]

My dealer came to me with demo stock , then they drove 6 hours to deliver the stuff I ordered. Superb service and highly commended. Before that I went to be audio who sadly closed down

This is a really good point. I haven't been to many high street shops lately, but over the last few years I've had a few 'dealers' - and indeed 'makers' - round with stuff to demo, discuss or deliver: Hugo from Ammonite, Greg from G-Point, Paul from RFC Audio, Mario from Audio Note, Trevor from Guildford Audio, David from AD Audio, Russ from Layers of Beauty - I'm sure I could think of a few others.

If you are a serious buyer and at least occasionally willing to pay 'new' prices rather than always second hand, then this sort of thing is normal now, but to a large extent it didn't really exist in past times where the buyer generally made the trip and the dealer was the one with all the knowledge. The world has changed.

[Vrajbasi]

This is a really good point. I haven't been to many high street shops lately, but over the last few years I've had a few 'dealers' - and indeed 'makers' - round with stuff to demo, discuss or deliver: Hugo from Ammonite, Greg from G-Point, Paul from RFC Audio, Mario from Audio Note, Trevor from Guildford Audio, David from AD Audio, Russ from Layers of Beauty - I'm sure I could think of a few others.

If you are a serious buyer and at least occasionally willing to pay 'new' prices rather than always second hand, then this sort of thing is normal now, but to a large extent it didn't really exist in past times where the buyer generally made the trip and the dealer was the one with all the knowledge. The world has changed.

I remember purchasing a brand new Voyd and audio innovations 2nd audios and Snell E speakers for Mario when he ran a dealership I think Audio South it was called in the late 80,s great service.

[Bourney]

Musicraft in Derby a few weeks ago to buy a turntable and phononstage.
Definitive audio a few times in the last 5-10 years for various bits of kit. Mainly LVs and the odd valve amp/ sugden.

[Qute Beats]

Two weeks ago, got my TT fixed up to play the old records again

[hifinutt]

Sevenoaks sound and vision in Solihull, great bunch of guys and a great variety of kit.

[Pigmy Pony]

I think there is hope for a new generation of enthusiasts, I recently cleared out my stash of Pioneer PL-12Ds, two went to people in their twenties and one to someone in his thirties, (all men, then last weekend my 15 year old nephew told me he wanted to get a record deck, we're still discussing it, but he will likely end up with a modded SL-1210 and pair of Tannoys I have lying around just need to find him an amp, if he shows further interest we'll take it from there. I guess the problem for the future is a smaller percentage of young people are into physical formats, there are less shops for them to wander into and no cassettes to buy which is why myself and some of my friends started venturing into real hi fi shops, plus what pass as entry systems are plastic crap and decent entry systems seem to cost a lot more than when I was a teenager. There will always be some people who appreciate better sound and are willing to search it out, we just have to find and encourage them.

I think decent hifi, even starter stuff, is cheaper than ever before in real terms. My first system, bought by my parents for my 19th birthday (BSR deck, Bush Arena amp, Wharfedale Denton speakers) cost about £120. This was 1975, when average wage in my trade was about £50 a week. That would be equivalent to about £1000 today, which should buy something pretty good.

Even records, allowing for inflation, are probably slightly cheaper than they were then.

[alphaGT]

It’s been a while. 1989 maybe? Those were some great times for Hi Fi, the wonderful things I saw and heard!

In recent years, I’ve bought all my equipment used, from online sellers. Some came from nice Hi Fi shops, but I didn’t actually go there. One of my favorite shops in Richmond VA, last time I checked, had moved into a house in a residential neighborhood? I may need to investigate.

Russell