Visited a couple Audio stores in Atlanta area

ben62670

Well I had the day off from the kids, and wanted to check out a few audio stores.

First I went to Audio Atlanta. They had some nice stuff there, but the owner was brand stuck, and brand bashing. I told him I had SDA's, and he proceeded to bash away at them. He had very few brands in that store, and those were the only brands that were any good. Well I bought a used Linda Ronstadt what new album, some record sleeves, and a record cleaner kit($22).

Second stop was way better. Audio Alternative in Lilburn GA (985 Indian Trail Road. 770-931-0606 www.yeswehaveawebsite.com . I met Scott, and another fella there. These guys rock. I told them about the experience I had at the other store, and they were extremely professional about it, and did not bash them in the least. I told them how impressed I was with there hospitality. I asked for a demo of some real nice high end Mac gear, with $8000 Audio Quest IC's, and Thiels. I told them flat out that most of there gear was way out of my budget, but these guys are audio lovers like myself. I did not feel snubbed at all, and the whole experience was wonderful. If you are in the area you guys have to meet them. Bar none this is the best place I have visited concerning audio ever. Well I picked up DSOTM, and I am going for side two. One little side note. Every time I go out when I return I feel blessed to have the system I have. I am a TT away, and a good SACD player from near bliss.
Ben

tcrossma

That's great Ben, I wish I had a store around here that was like that.

obieone

I'm glad you had a good experience. Of the two relatively highend stores in Columbia, I had a similar experience w/being snubbed. I told the guy I had Polks and he said "Ah, they USED to make good stuff, but nothing that would rate SEPERATES now"!
Needless to say, He wont be seeing any of MY $$$!
BTW, is that good place east or west of ATL.?

ben62670

I was down in Ft Lauderdale, and you would think there would be more stores down there than here. Today was a lovely day soaking up some sweet ear candy.

F1nut

I told the guy I had Polks and he said "Ah, they USED to make good stuff, but nothing that would rate SEPERATES now"!

The truth may hurt, but it's still the truth. However, I do have high hopes for Polk's future. Their latest inwalls are stellar and I think the next generation LSi's will be an major improvement. I also have hopes that Polk will produce another "statement" speaker down the road.

ben62670

obieone wrote: »

I'm glad you had a good experience. Of the two relatively highend stores in Columbia, I had a similar experience w/being snubbed. I told the guy I had Polks and he said "Ah, they USED to make good stuff, but nothing that would rate SEPERATES now"!
Needless to say, He wont be seeing any of MY $$$!
BTW, is that good place east or west of ATL.?

Little bit NE
Hit me up sometime if you want to go. You know about the get together here at my place right?
Ben

Systems

Sorry Audio Atlanta was a disapointment Ben. The guys there can be a little harsh at times and Pete is one dry son of a **** on a good day. I just ignore that about him. The place is going thru some changes. Dropped some of the lines and waiting for the new ones to arrive. I'll be sure and tell him what an **** he was when I get back. They are holding several items for me there and I'm sure I'll be hitting them the first day I get home. I'm hoping Gordon will turn it back around in the coming months.

Chuck

ben62670

Thats cool I got to hear Tanoys
Have you been to that other store I talked about? A blast!

george daniel

stereo_luver wrote: »

Sorry Audio Atlanta was a disapointment Ben. The guys there can be a little harsh at times and Pete is one dry son of a **** on a good day. I just ignore that about him. The place is going thru some changes. Dropped some of the lines and waiting for the new ones to arrive. I'll be sure and tell him what an **** he was when I get back. They are holding several items for me there and I'm sure I'll be hitting them the first day I get home. I'm hoping Gordon will turn it back around in the coming months.

Chuck

+1 I almost left the first time I took my tt in to have Pete set it up.However,, when my wife returned to pick it up,, he carefully loaded it in the car,gave her instructions etc,and she said it was a totally different experience from the first time,,go figure.

Early B.

I've been to both shops. Audio Alternative has a much larger selection. I heard some Totem and Ayre stuff there. The staff struck me as typical salespeople. One of the guys spoke highly of the SDA speaker technology and he had a zillion albums in his personal collection. I enjoyed it, but probably won't return to either store. It's like window shopping at a grocery store -- what's the point of going if I'm not gonna walk out with a bagful of goodies.

billbillw

stereo_luver wrote: »

Sorry Audio Atlanta was a disapointment Ben. The guys there can be a little harsh at times and Pete is one dry son of a **** on a good day. I just ignore that about him. The place is going thru some changes. Dropped some of the lines and waiting for the new ones to arrive. I'll be sure and tell him what an **** he was when I get back. They are holding several items for me there and I'm sure I'll be hitting them the first day I get home. I'm hoping Gordon will turn it back around in the coming months.

Chuck

Gordon is definitely a good guy to deal with. Totally nerdy like most of us and a big fan of vintage stuff too.

Ricardo

george daniel wrote: »

+1 I almost left the first time I took my tt in to have Pete set it up.However,, when my wife returned to pick it up,, he carefully loaded it in the car,gave her instructions etc,and she said it was a totally different experience from the first time,,go figure.

Why are you surprised? I am sure your wife looks much better than you do

engtaz

Congrats on the fun, Ben. Glad you did not get too tempted.

engtaz

george daniel

Ricardo,,thanks Bill, is Gerard the co-owner? The reason I ask,is that years ago,,back in the early ninities I had some AQ cables made from a shop on the square,and I was wondering if was the same business,the guy that made them was kinda paunchy and one hell of a nice guy,,complete opposite of Pete,,personility wise.

hoosier21

Gordon is not a nerd, more like a dork, Pete is a ****.

They have a homegrown speaker coming out, at 30K plus. Hope they do well, but the prototype looked and sounded like ****.

Am I being harsh, maybe, but they gave me no reason give a **** if they make a dollar or close, that is how I feel, eff them both.

I mean, in the shape the stereo shops are in, and they have the rich kid attitude, eff them.

A little prevacation drinking and I am on a tare

The best thing Audio Atlanta has going for them is the Irish Pub next door.

george daniel

Russ,, don't sugar coat it,, tell us how you really feel.;)

hoosier21

george daniel wrote: »

Russ,, don't sugar coat it,, tell us how you really feel.;)

Sorry, a few drink, stress built up,

it felt good tho,

they have not done a thing for me in the half dozen stops I have made there, screw them

ben62670

hoosier21 wrote: »

Sorry, a few drink, stress built up,

it felt good tho,

they have not done a thing for me in the half dozen stops I have made there, screw them

:D:D

Systems

I'll 2nd the Irish Pub next door.

I guess I'm just a lucky **** when it comes to dealing with them. I do ignore Pete when he is on the rag and Gordon has been...Gordon. Sorry you guys for saying anything about the place.

Chuck

ben62670

stereo_luver wrote: »

I'll 2nd the Irish Pub next door.

I guess I'm just a lucky **** when it comes to dealing with them. I do ignore Pete when he is on the rag and Gordon has been...Gordon. Sorry you guys for saying anything about the place.

Chuck

Na its cool. One of the guys was pretty cool. I got to sit down, and enjoy the Tanoys with him. The other place is closer, and you can find parking:) I probably won't return, but it is always nice to check out different gear. That place is definitely a good TT place for any work you need done, but most of my shopping will be done elsewhere.
Ben

Systems

Ben, did you listen to the new Tannoy 15's? Also did they still have the light colored Tannoy's set-up in the larger room? Did you get a chance to hear them? Those are the ones I bought along with the matching bookshelfs and the center.

Chuck

BTW...go to bed ben.

Face

I need a local Tannoy dealer, you guys are making me jealous.

Systems

Neener neener neener.

Chuck

ben62670

Yeppers! Sweet mid. Of coarse seemless. I think Face is onto something. They need SS to drive them properly, or a monster tube;)

ben62670

Well I went back, and bought my new TT from them. Pete is a real cool guy. The other guy I guess is just moody. I am also not a fan of brand bashing unless its monster, or Bose.
Ben

george daniel

so,, whadcha' get? Congrats BTW