Gene Rubin is excellent, and very much likes Exposure gear...
New SS integrated choice....Rotel 1572Mk2, Audiolab 7000A, Exposure 2510
OK, got sick for awhile and off course on buying a new integrated to replace Marantz PM8005 to be moved to office. Looking to upgrade my sound quality overall. (Was looking at Belles Aria but got off the record feedback units have been having some higher than average issue rates so I am moving onto other options.) Reviews online got me focused on 3 in particular, none of which I have heard before namely Rotel 1572MK2, Audiolab 7000a or 9000a and Exposure 2510. First two are readily available and I can get shipped to Hawaii free which is attractive as it saves $150-200. I want new because it ups odds of satisfaction especially as no techs in HI. Will drive Kef R300s or Ohm Walsh 2-100s in 14 x14 LR with arched 9 ft ceilings rising to 20 feet. Looking to keep costs below $3k new. I dont know what the "British" sound really means...only have heard Rega Brio which was fine but sideways move. Interested in feedback from anyone familiar with these brands, sound characteristics, reliability, etc. Aloha.
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Honolulu audio dealer has ROTEL, BRYSTON, and CLASSE AudiolabHawaii.com High End Audio & Home Theater at 851 Pohukaina Street, Honolulu, HI 96814. Call (808) 595-8066
think BRYSTON B-135 integrated amp for a great high-end choice !
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Audiolab is unfortunately more real on the internet than in the real physical world. Tom the owner, is focused on home theatre not stereo. He is not open most of the time during his stated hours. He is listed as representing multiple brands but if you are able to get into his shop when its open he rarely has anything to hear. The list of brands he reps changes constantly. I have tried to do business with him but it is actually hard as hell. I bought a pair of Gallo 3.1s from him years ago for a friend on Kauai then went back to buy an amp to go with them. He only had Audio Space and pushed that and acted like I was a fool for not linking it. I wasnt looking for tubes. My friend was 65 with cancer on an island with zero tech support. He needed something reliable, SS and good sounding. Tom supposedly represented other brands but had nothing to hear other than AS. Later on I tried to buy a pair of Gallo 3.5s from him for myself...FOR A YEAR! He never had them...they were on loan...he sold them and Gallo had not responded to his orders...blah blah. I called Gallo directly and they laughed and gave me other dealers in CA to call. Same thing when I wanted a pair of Special Edition Totem Sig Ones instead....he never responded. I heard them in his store and asked him to order a pair for me....crickets. It is hard when you are trying to support a local shop and they dont seem to care. (His one solid employee Shawn, who was pretty good (he sold me the Gallos for my friend) eventually left and formed his own shop because he was frustrated. His business died during the pandemic. I got one thing from him and it only took a phone call.) So, Audiolab supposedly exists but not really. Tom is a nice enough guy when you talk to him but I think its a hobby business. I stopped trying to work with the company after too much frustration and lack of response. I have been told by others of similar experiences so its not me. |
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