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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

Showing 3 responses by kbarkamian

kbarkamian
647 posts
 
I got very tired of the NYC dealers that I've been to. Cosmophonic Sound had a gentleman that was very good. I had 1 good experience in Lyric on Lexington, and several not so good ones. I guess I can't bash Sound By Singer, as I've been in 4 times and no ever said a single word to me. One guy made eye contact and nodded. I guess they were always too busy or something.

If you think Lyric on Lexington is bad, check out Lyric in White Plains.

I really liked Audiocom in Greenwich, CT. They recently moved to Norwalk, I believe. Haven't been there yet.

My favorite dealer by far is Accent on Music in Mt. Kisco. A great husband and wife owned and operated shop. Very friendly and knowledgable. I can't say enough great things about them. Their selection isn't the most expansive, as they're 99% Naim, Linn and Rega.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Anyone been to Audio Nexus in NJ? They seem to have a great selection of stuff, according to their website.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
If you're interested in a Linn or Rega turntable, Accent on Music in Mount Kisco has several on the floor and have a bunch of cartridges too. I know I mentioned them before, so please don't think I'm pushing them on you. I just really appreciate their way of doing business.

Mt Kisco is in Westchester, off the Taconic and/or 684.

Also, check out Reference Cinema & Sound. They used to be in Mt Kisco, but their website says Bedford Hills. The gentleman who owns it or is a part owner (Frank Huang, I believe) is a great guy. I couldn't afford 99% of what they had at the time, but he let me listen to a ton of stuff anyway. He had a bunch of great suggestions as far as what brands/models to listen to in my price range and where to find them. Right off the bat I told him my range, and he still talked to me and let me listen to stuff for over an hour. He was setting up a Halcro/Verity system and a CJ/Verity system for a demo. After he dialed everything in, he handed me the remote and said 'spin some of your CDs; the customer won't be here for another hour.' How many people will let you listen to a $75k system knowing that you can't even afford the power cords? How many will make recommendations on gear they don't sell and where to buy it? Hopefully I'll be able to afford some of the stuff he sells someday.
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