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Post by Slinger on Nov 25, 2018 13:33:17 GMT
I was going to dump this as a passing remark in another thread, but I thought it might be interesting to have people expand upon it without crapping all over somebody else's carefully crafted words. I hope the title is reasonably self-explanatory, so... I live, as you may know, in Sevenoaks. Guess which dealer is my local dealer, and where I bought my first setup.  I was very grateful to discover Richer Sounds, when they opened what I believe was their first store, on London Bridge Walk. The main problem was though, for a very long time I passed it twice a day. Worse still, on the second passing, they were open. Who did you lose your hi-fi virginity to, and/or who did you have your first hi-fi affair with? |
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Post by John on Nov 25, 2018 13:53:15 GMT
My first HIFI experience was in Harrow the shop was close to where the Odeon Cinema used to be and has been closed down for many years. I would of been better going into Harrow Audio but it was just to exotic at the time, funny these days it not exotic enough lol. A recent visit was when I went in looking for a server based solution and they suggested a Sonus. A shame Richard was not there to serve at the time as he knows I would of expected a bit more left field thinking.
I am not sure if ever had a HIFI affair I had never really been a Naim man or anything else come to think of it. I guess the biggest influence which is really a mutual friendship is Vic from Trans-Fi Audio. I have his Salvation and my journey into Open Baffles and almost Baffless speakers are very influenced by what I heard on my visits.
I tend to prefer more bespoke solutions and it be probably a decade since I bought a item from a shop.
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Post by zippy on Nov 25, 2018 14:13:58 GMT
My first real hifi items (Quad 33/303) were from a shop in Colwyn Bay, who also demo'd a surround sound system using massive Gryphon speakers which, needless to say, were way way out of my price league.
Most other hifi was from Reading (yes we moved around a bit) and that continued as my main dealer until 1. The shop closed or got taken over, and 2. we moved 'up north'. The Reading dealer was excellent, always willing to let me try things, and doing good PX deals. Never had such good service since.
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 25, 2018 15:18:53 GMT
KJ Leisuresound in London for me.
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 25, 2018 15:49:27 GMT
The only dealership I ever really had any sort of relationship with was The Music Room in Glasgow. I bought a few bits from them in the 1990's.
I have a strong aversion to being sold to, though, so when a salesman approaches I usually turn around and walk away, preferring to think for myself and make my own choices.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 25, 2018 18:21:36 GMT
I made a lot of my early hi-fi components from kits and self designs. My entire system was self-built at one point.
My first true hi-fi purchase was the Croft SIP preamp from Audio-T in West Hampstead, followed by the Series 4 power amp a little later.
EDIT: with my work hat on, I have a huge aversion to salespeople wanting to waste my time with their sales patter. I very firmly tell them that I evaluate my own requirements and I'll be in touch with them if I need them, thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 18:45:05 GMT
I was going to dump this as a passing remark in another thread, but I thought it might be interesting to have people expand upon it without crapping all over somebody else's carefully crafted words. Yeah fair cop, that was me that crapped over petea's thread. Should refrain from doing that, sorry to both. |
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Post by Slinger on Nov 25, 2018 18:50:59 GMT
I wasn't having a dig, Paul. I was genuinely going to post there and then thought that if I did the answers to my little post might swallow the op. Nothing to do with your posting.
Talking of salesmen, as Martin was, if I walk into a shop and a salesperson approaches me I'll happily send them away until, and if, I require them. If they offer me a "beverage" I'm in the wrong bloody shop.
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 25, 2018 18:54:11 GMT
Being an efficiency expert (lazy) I rather like my man to come to me  as Tony does Grahams supplied my Linn Naim system back in the 80s. A few dealers since, but mostly listening to other kit and tring to buy 2nd hand |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 19:12:32 GMT
My first proper system was supplied by MAX back in the nineties since then I really haven't listened to much I have felt I must have this!
If wasn't in the position I am in today no dealer in the UK could deliver a system I feel makes real music, my choice would be Harry and Michael at Rhapsody in Holland
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 19:35:31 GMT
Being an efficiency expert (lazy) I rather like my man to come to me as Tony does Grahams supplied my Linn Naim system back in the 80s. A few dealers since, but mostly listening to other kit and tring to buy 2nd hand Na I prefer the personal touch too, which comes from dealers coming to you. Primarily because they then get to hear what is already there and then can make recommendations how you can improve it. This is something Tony excels at IMHO and why I would rate him as the best Hifi dealer I have dealt with, and now count him as a friend. The worst, well I already mentioned that. By far, it would be Audio T in Reading, and the guy who runs it. He once said to me that I would never find a better system than a full Naim 'stack'... how wrong can that guy get! |
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 25, 2018 20:09:27 GMT
First dealer I went to was in Stockport I think. Can't remember name but I bought a Dual TT, Marantz amp and MK1 Diamonds. Was awesome for a young teenager!
The dealer that I loved was The Music Rooms in Manchester. So friendly, not in the least pushy or patronising to a spotty teenager! I will always remember the great demo sessions there - very influential in developing my tastes.
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Post by petea on Nov 25, 2018 20:54:11 GMT
For me it was Reading HiFi when it was still independent. It is now the branch of Audio-T referred to above and when I called them once the chap I spoke with also extolled the virtues of Naim. I never went to them after that as he failed to listen to what I was after. I then stumbled upon Phonography, which has since become Winchester HiFi. I like Andy who runs it very much and have bought a few things from him, mainly associated with my vinyl setup, but also a Nam NDX and Unity Atom + Neat Iota Alphas for Germany and a NDX2 for the UK. Other than that I have bought things online / over the phone. Recent experiences have been very positive.
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Post by zippy on Nov 26, 2018 13:39:45 GMT
For me it was Reading HiFi when it was still independent. It is now the branch of Audio-T referred to above and when I called them once the chap I spoke with also extolled the virtues of Naim. I never went to them after that as he failed to listen to what I was after. I then stumbled upon Phonography, which has since become Winchester HiFi. I like Andy who runs it very much and have bought a few things from him, mainly associated with my vinyl setup, but also a Nam NDX and Unity Atom + Neat Iota Alphas for Germany and a NDX2 for the UK. Other than that I have bought things online / over the phone. Recent experiences have been very positive. Reading hifi - that's the one, but as you say only when it was still independent.. |
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Post by SteveC on Nov 26, 2018 19:55:28 GMT
For me it was Reading HiFi when it was still independent. It is now the branch of Audio-T referred to above and when I called them once the chap I spoke with also extolled the virtues of Naim. I never went to them after that as he failed to listen to what I was after. I then stumbled upon Phonography, which has since become Winchester HiFi. I like Andy who runs it very much and have bought a few things from him, mainly associated with my vinyl setup, but also a Nam NDX and Unity Atom + Neat Iota Alphas for Germany and a NDX2 for the UK. Other than that I have bought things online / over the phone. Recent experiences have been very positive. Reading hifi - that's the one, but as you say only when it was still independent.. When it was in Harris Arcade! |
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Post by petea on Nov 26, 2018 21:48:33 GMT
Indeed, although it was independent also for a while when it was behind the Butts as I recall.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 26, 2018 22:04:46 GMT
I bought my Sony SCD-1 from them when they were already Audio-T. They had a typical attitude about it not being a British player, they simply didn't appreciate what a truly superb piece of engineering it was and wanted to get rid of their demo model with only a few hours on it. I snapped it out of their hands pronto and gave it the 200 hours plus it needed to really open it up. I loved going back and telling them how good it sounded, but they really didn't care.
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