Audio store in Dallas, Ft. Worth area.

McLoki

Flying off to Arlington, Tx. tomorrow. Should arrive around 5:30 and have the evening to kill. Any decent audio stores in the Dallas - Fort Worth area I should check while I am there??

Thanks,

Michael

AndyGwis

I like Audio Concepts in North Dallas (Forest and Preston maybe). Kind of a hike from Arlington, though. All very high end stuff. Lot of Linn, Revel, higher end NAD, Wilson Audio.

Can't think of many other places, but I'm sure there's something near the mid-cities / Arlington area. . .

McLoki

I will try and head that way when I land... Thanks for the tip.

Michael

AndyGwis

Cool. Here's their website. Might want to make sure they'll be open when you get in. http://www.audioconceptsonline.com/

Russman, Keith, etc., any ideas on where else Mike can go?

sucks2beme

Marvin Electronics in Fort Worth. More of a McIntosh/B&W kind of place.

http://www.blueglowaudio.com/home.htm
I am going to get to this store sooner or later!

I have been more of a Audio concepts kind of guy.
They can be a bit stand offish. Byron is the sales guy
that I deal with. He's pretty down to earth.
While you're there, check out the headphones. Not many
other places have $1000 headphones sitting out to listen
to.

Modia in Southlake has McIntosh/Classe/B&W/Dynaudio.
Also Rotel. Their demo setups could be a bit better.
The Mac 275 is set up with some Dynaudios, that
is the only setup I would spend any time with there.

There is one in Plano That has some good stuff
http://www.hi-endaudio.com/Speakers.htm

There's more, but this should get you started.
I'm goning to be in the DC/Virgina area for the next week.
I hope to get some audio time in, but that may not happen.
The boss has plans of getting his money's worth out of me!

AndyGwis

Thanks, Keith. I knew there were plenty of places around here, I'm just an internet / used market bum so I never get to b&m stores. Would be nice to actual listen to something before I buy it!

Gadabout

+1 on Marvin's. I drop in there occasionally. The sales folks are friendly and patient. They will sit back and let you listen as long as you want and change configurations. - Marvin Electronics

They are mainly HT, but do have an excellent 2ch room (McIntosh, B&W, Paradigm)

Probably about a half hour drive from the airport.

While perhaps not the best for listening.... There are several Fry's in the area. One right by the airport a little North and East right on I-635. If you are staying in Arlington, Matlock Street, just south of I-20. If you haven't been in a Fry's before it is worthwhile to drop in and wander around.

Sami

Been to Marvin's, pretty good. Can't remember if it was Home Theater Store in Southlake, or it could have been Modia that was mentioned, that had MacIntosh gear. sucks2beme, is Modia close to Home Depot on 114/Southlake Blvd?

BTW, El Arroyo in Arlington has very cheap margaritas on Wednesday night.

AndyGwis

El Arroyo had $1 margaritas on Thursdays in Austin. Great place.

Sami

AndyGwis wrote: »

El Arroyo had $1 margaritas on Thursdays in Austin. Great place.

I don't think they are owned by same people. My wife's boss owns the Arlington restaurant (and I will have to double check the night for the $1 margaritas, I think it was Wednesday). How does it relate to audio? I think it makes music sound better...best mod I ever did.

AndyGwis

Yes, booze helps in the enjoyment of many things (initially, at least). In the long run, maybe not so much

sucks2beme

Sami wrote: »

Been to Marvin's, pretty good. Can't remember if it was Home Theater Store in Southlake, or it could have been Modia that was mentioned, that had MacIntosh gear. sucks2beme, is Modia close to Home Depot on 114/Southlake Blvd?

BTW, El Arroyo in Arlington has very cheap margaritas on Wednesday night.

The Home Theater Store is now Modia.
There is another place I can't remember in Dallas. It's very hard to get into, appointment only.
It has some good stuff. And used. Senior moment, I'll come to me.

sucks2beme

Krystal Clear Audio was the other.
http://www.kcaudio.com/news.html
The real problem is after you hit the ground, get your stuff,
and get out of the airport, you won't have any time to get to most
of these stores before they close.

Sami

Yep. When are you going back?

McLoki

Yep - realizing that now...

I am supposed to land at 5:05. I already have my rental car taken care of and all luggage is carry on. I plan on getting in the car and heading out.

So far it looks like I will head straight to Audio Concepts as they are open until 7:00pm.

I called Marvins (my first choice) and they are only open until 6:00. same with High-End audio and Krystal Clear.

I have called Audio Concepts and it sounds like if I head straight there from the airport, I may be able to make it in by around 6:00 or so. Not alot of listening time, but it will be nice to listen to some speakers and electronics that are not available locally. Looking forward to checking out Linn and reaquainting myself will Maggies....

Thanks everyone for your help,

Michael

McLoki

Sorry to say, it is a one day trip. (heading back at 7:30pm tomorrow)

Sami

5:30 until you get to your rental, then 635 down to Preston Road on the worst traffic hour, you'll be there at 6:15 if you're lucky. More likely it's going to be 6:30 already.

McLoki

bummer.... well nothing else going on tonight, so I will give it a shot anyway.

I have the garmin packed so hopfully it will end up taking me to the right place...

McLoki

Just put the store in my Garmin. Just so you know, it is 662.8 miles southwest from my current position. Almost hard to believe I can make it by 6(ish).

McLoki

ok, out of the airport with my rental car at 5:30 and walking into Audio Concepts at 6:00. A very nice store where I got to listen to some equipment that I had not heard before....

I obviously did not have alot of time with each system (just a few songs really) so all of these comments should be taken as first impressions. All the audio rooms were very nice and acoustically treated. None of them were what I would consider overly live or dead... The Salesman was very patient and introduced me to each system. Played the songs at a comfortable level (80-85db) and once the music started, let me settle in and listen. He did ask for my comments and did not argue any of them with me. Music listened to varied from Bryan Adams to Nora Jones and Diana Krall. There were a few others I did not get the name of (most with a definate Jazz Groove) They sounded great and I wish I knew their name so I could pick some of them up.

It was funny seeing the look on his face when I told him it was the Polk Audio forum that recommened his store to me. "But - we don't carry any polk audio.... are you sure it was our store they recommended?"

So this is what I heard....

Listened to some ProArc speakers. They were nice (about $3k) I would say between My LSi's and paradigms on the brightness scale. Decent sounding, but definately prefer the LSi sound to these. No upgrade here, but a similar quality sound to the LSi15's and paradigm studio 100's (with a little less bass)...

I also listened to some Revel ultima salon 2's (About $14k). These I definately preferred the sound of my LSi's to. They were just not the speaker for me. They had a very clear but analytical sound to them. Excellent bass response, and no matter what I listened to - it was crystal clear, but I can't say I enjoyed listening to anything on them. A real dissapointment.

I also heard a rig comprised of a nice integrated amp and some Wilson Duetts. (about $16k) - These were stepping into the big time. I did not feel these were worth 16 grand, but they were clearly several steps above the LSi's. (they are about the size of Paradigm Studio 60's and have an external crossover) It was odd, when my eyes were open, most of the sound seemed to be coming from the speaker, but when I closed them - The image was very wide and pretty deep with almost no boxiness to the sound at all. Definately a nice speaker, (the best I heard up to this point and the first that would definately be a step up from the LSi's - but still not really feeling the magic.)

Last on the list were Wilson Watt Puppies (about $28k). This was their reference rig and was run with an entire tube setup. All top of the line Audio Research electronics. (CDP, Preamp and one step down from top of the line 200watt tube monoblocks for amps). I was not sure what to expect, I had heard high end equipment before and was prepared to be underwhelmed. (Even though the duetts were nice, they were not AWESOME in my book) He fired up the same Brian Adams song that made the revel ultima's sound really bad and it sounded fantastic. - He threw in some Diana Krall and it was incredible. Not just a live or in the room feel, but a let the music touch your soul type production. I was absolutely blown away how good it sounded. I would not have believed any speaker was really worth over $20k, but I have to admit - If I had that kind of scratch available, I would have purchased them at the full price and considered them a bargain.

It was an excellent way to spend an hour and I wish I had more time - that was for sure. A very fun way to relax after airports and plane rides.

Thanks to everyone for your recommendations. I guess I found my sound - now I just need a way to afford it.

Michael

sucks2beme

I've listened to that setup before. Very nice.
Did you notice the Watt Puppies in on trade?
Only $14500. Start saving your pennies.:D
It's a shame you didn't get a chance to listen
to some of the Spendors. Or the Stax headphones.
Those would change your perception of headphones.