The Hub: News, events, gossip - Sound by Singer to close


For the last quarter-century, there has been no high-end audio dealer in the world as well known as Andrew Singer, of Sound by Singer in Manhattan. From the junk-bond era through the last burst bubble of the markets, the megabuck systems sold by Andy Singer reflected not just the extremes and excesses of the high end, but of Wall Street itself.

On the 6th of August, Singer informed his vendors that "despite our best efforts, Sound by Singer has lost its lease and will be shutting down its showroom at 18 East 16th Street, New York, NY in mid-September." He did not state specifically that the company was going out of business, only that the company would "ponder our next move" after the completion of a clearance sale on August 21st.

Attorney Andrew Singer began his business more or less as a hobby in the late '70's, demoing systems in his mother's living room for a hardcore audiophile clientele. Singer left the practice of law in 1978 with the opening of the first Sound by Singer store on Lexington Avenue between 34th and 35th Street; his first employee was Steve Guttenberg, now well-known as an audio writer, reviewer and blogger.

From the '80's on, Singer's bearded visage became a common sight in full-page ads in audio magazines, most notably in Sterophile. Singer's advocacy contributed to the success of many brands, including Krell, JM Labs/Focal, and VTL. Perhaps more than any other well-known dealership, Sound by Singer was viewed as an extension of its owner, and that owner evoked strong reactions in those who knew him, and those who merely knew of him.

Singer's verbal facility, combative nature, intolerance of fools and imposing physical presence made him the subject of endless stories, some no doubt apocryphal. We may never know, for instance, if an amplifier really was shot full of holes following a dispute with its distributor.

The audiophile community is familiar with stories of Singer's alleged arrogance; the industry abounds with tales of hard-dealing and tough terms. Many who worked with and for Andy, though, are fiercely loyal.

"I think he was a great businessman," said Steve Guttenberg. "I was with him for sixteen or seventeen years, on and off, and always got along with him well.The thing most audiophiles don't realize is that retailing audio is hard work, and we worked hard there. The bulk of the time, I worked my ass off; every day was a race to get things done, and they just didn't all get done."

Guttenberg noted the changes in clientele that came as Sound by Singer grew from an audiophile hangout to a destination for the rich and famous: "in the early days, the customers really were exclusively audiophiles. In the last ten or fifteen years, I'm guessing three-fourths of the customers were rich people, not necessarily audiophiles."

John DeVore of DeVore Fidelity knew Andy Singer both as his boss and as one of his dealers. "I started in sales in '96, and worked there until about 2000, and tapered off as my company got up and running," DeVore said. "I always liked Andy, and still do. He was my biggest dealer, and when he called to tell me about the closing--well, that wasn't a conversation I wanted to have."

Strong opinions seem to follow most of Singer's actions, and they've followed the news of the closing of his store. Posts on an industry forum on CE Pro were less than kind; high-end legend and founder of The Absolute Sound Harry Pearson said the closing was "a fate richly earned and deserved."

What Andy Singer will do after the doors close for the last time at the familiar storefront on 16th Street, and he ponders his next move, remains to be seen. Some say that health issues and age mean retirement is likely; others speculate that Sound by Singer with adapt to the demands of the virtual marketplace and reappear as an online business. Efforts to talk with Singer have proven fruitless.

John DeVore offers a comment that will encourage some, and dismay others: "Hi-Fi is really in Andy's blood. I'd be surprised if he didn't come back."

Our next entry of The Hub will discuss still more changes in the world of audio retailing. In audio, as in the rest of the world, the only constant is change.


UPDATE

Sound By Singer has moved, and is not closed. Please see their new location here: SOUND BY SINGER,LTD. 242 WEST 27 STREET,SECOND FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001
audiogon_bill
Couple of years back I came in to some money and was in market for some exotic electronics and so I called and simply said: I want to buy these cd combo, preamp, phono, and monoblocks and I am ready to send a cashier's check. No BS and let us negotiate ceratin discount and give me the final total price. I don't know who answered (May be it was Andy!) but they said okay it is retail price plus shipping. I asked No discounts? He curtly said: if you want discount go someplace else! We are talking six figures plus deal here and he said (practically) it is his way or get lost. The whole conversation took less than few minutes! May be I needed to be a bit more tactful and may be to his credit, may be he thought I am pulling his chain

Brooks Berden would have been all over his heels, graciously, to make this deal happen

I was glad I did not fly specially to NY for this!

Oh well, I will remember his usual two-page-King-of-the-hill ads though
Ferrari: great story. Thanks.

Map: If they're gonna do that, why not just have a security guard like they do at Tiffany?

Loom: dunno what to tell you. Never been that much of a masochist, and been in audio too long to put up with nonsense.

Chaz: I live in Florida. Don't need to see a documentary; the political campaign ads make 'Scarface' look like a Disney cartoon.

TP: C'mon, don't discourage the newbies!

Garvin: that makes too much sense to work. Thanks, though.

Nil:Somehow, I don't think it was Andy. ;->

Thanks, all for the great comments.
I wanted to re-terminate three tonearms to xlr and was advised to speak with Brooks...
I called, THREE TIMES, and was told he was out and would return my calls which never happened!

Is he, like Andy, one of the "big dogs"? Yes, but that's no excuse for poor business conduct whether it be for service, sales, info etc.

Just seems to me that karma comes around...sooner or later...:-)
R.I.P. Andy et all!
TP: C'mon, don't discourage the newbies!

Not discouraging anybody,just stating a fact!!!!
Never met Andy and his boys, but appears I have met his kind before. Thought I would take a newbie buddy to one of the nicer shops in my area. Was treated like trash. Made me feel like a fool. My friend confused. That is why so many of use Agon.