Hi-Fi in Bay Area?

4yanx,

I disagree, (as I have in the past), with your assertion that the treatment at The Analog Room is indifferent "at best". I won't dispute that at its worst, it can be rude, although certainly no more rude than EVERY other high end dealer can be on occasion. Certainly Brian is not even close to being in the same category as the old Audible Difference in Palo Alto was! (Argh, they were the worst. (I have heard they reopened that store, and hopefully this time, with better sales people.)

However, Brian, when at his best, can be incredibly helpful, and accommodating. He certainly has gone out of his way to make my buying experiences pleasant. (He has set up both of my turntables and tone arms for me for nothing. I bought both used off people from Audiogon or Ebay, and he knew it. Hell, he even guided me toward what to buy, after listening to my criteria for what I wanted. He literally unpacked both of my turntables and tone arms from the packing crates, assembled them, and then mounted the cartridge on, and properly adjusted it. Now does that sound indifferent to you? And don't think he went out of his way because I was buying Koetsu Jade Platinum cartridges from him every other week. I bought a Benz Micro Glider 2, and when that had its cantilever busted off, he gave me 40% credit toward a Koetsu Black. And he mounted both cartridges both times as a courtesy. (Total investment in these cartridge was under $2K.)

Certainly he does not appreciate it when you waste his time browsing in the store and wasting his time setting up and wearing out his equipment for useless listening sessions, with no obvious intention of buying anything, not even a used LP. But again, all high end dealers dislike to be used in such a fashion. (And rightfully so.)

My take on Brian is that he is incredibly knowledgeable person, especially in regards to all things analog, and a nice guy to boot. Once you establish that you accept his opinions as based upon his vast experience, regardless of whether you agree with him or not, he is fine to deal with. However, going into HIS store, and then arguing that he is wrong about his approach to high end equipment, is not the way to go about establishing a good working relationship.

Also, while I hate cigar smoke (almost as much as cigarette smoke - I never smoked, never have, never will), I have never found it to be the "THICKEST" cigar smoke at any time.

Can I smell it when I go there?
You bet.

Can I see it in the air?
No, not usually, but occasionally.

Brian is EXTREMELY good about keeping the doors and windows open when he does indulge.

And I have bought dozens of new, and several used albums from him. (He has a great selection, btw!) NONE of them had cigar smell on them. My wife would certainly have noticed, as she can smell as good as a hunting dog!

4yanx, what exactly did Brian do to get you so pissed?

I agree with Skipclemmons, that The Analog Room is worth the trip to San Jose, by itself. (Really easy Freeway access too!)

They have the Brinkman Turntable you are looking for, as well as Basis, Nottingham and the others that were mentioned. (Along with some great tonearms and cartridges.) All set up and ready to listen to!

And, I also agree that the Jackson Fillmore is a great restaurant. The Brusheta(sic) is incredible.

4yanx,

I think the major bone of contention is that you state:

"The treatment there can be indifferent, at best, and extremely rude at worst."

This means, at least to me, that the BEST one can hope to be treated, is with "indifference". I completely disagree with that statement. I was not treated that way in my first visit, and I dealt with Brian. And I did not buy anything until my third or fourth visit. I was merely gathering information, and he more than gladly provided it.

And I disagree with your last statement that Music Lovers (at least the Berkeley store) is always a pleasant visit. My first couple of visits there were much closer to the Audible Difference code of conduct than to the pleasant Analog Room visits I have made. My friend had the same experience as I in fact. (We actually joked that if the salesman looked down his nose at us much longer, his eyeballs would roll down his nose, and land in the cuffs of his pants!)
(However, I will freely admit, that once you find a decent salesman at Music Lovers, that the experience can be pleasant. (Interestingly enough, the one salesman there I did like was named Brian. Go figure, huh?!) However, it does go to show that even the best stereo stores have their off days, and their fair share of rude sales consultants.)

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree.
Have a nice evening!