The Hertfordshire Posse

[ray70]

After a couple of years constantly thinking about upgrading, I've decided to go out and spend some decent cash on a proper upgrade. My system has been acquired through spotting "bargains" on eBay or Hififorsale.com. Not a bad way to acquire a system, but definitely not the best way to build a system that will give you many years of pleasure without ever feeling the need to upgrade.

I am looking at getting a new CDP and amp (to replace the Unico and MF XRay), and would like to go to a friendly, knowledgable dealer in the Herts / Essex / Middx / Bucks area with a good range of equipment to choose from. I'd rather go to a dealer with a small range of carefully chosen kit who will really look after me rather than a dealer with lots of eye candy kit who just wants my hard earned. Speaker upgrade will follow next year.

So, any ideas chaps? Thanks.

 

[Jezzer]

Sound Gallery - High Wycombe

Audio T - High Wycombe

Then there's a Krell...

 

[GaryC]

Noteworthy Audio in Aylesbury

. Used these guys a few times, very friendly genuine dealer.

 

[GaryC]

Just thought of a few more:

Audiophile in Bishops Stortford - can be a bit pricey and tend to specialise in Naim / B&W, but did a good deal on a Rega P3 I bought a few years back. Good service.

Not be confused with...

Audiofile Objective in Sawbridgeworth. Lots of unusual secondhand kit and new stuff. Again good service.

If you're feeling brave you could venture in to Radlett Audio in St. Albans.

 

[AdamK]

Noteworthy in Aylesbury: small independant with an analogue / valve leaning

Sound Gallery in High Wycombe: Unless you want to be Naimed or Linned do not go

Tom Tom / The Sound Practice:Always wanted to check em out but never got there. Come highly recomended from anyone who uses them. The Tom Tom side does Naim , the Sound Practice side does exotica like Border. Contact Hawk or JonR- I believe they have both had dealings there.

 

[jeffg]

Hazlemere Audio (I think) in High Wycombe. Nice guy, reasonable renage of unusual stuff (Metronome, Renaissance - the UK stuff, how I lust after the RAP-01 pre:22

Music Matters in Hatch End, Middx (just down the road fromme - never been in there though)

Jeff

 

[JonR]

GaryC wrote:

If you're feeling brave you could venture in to Radlett Audio in St. Albans.

Actually, no you couldn't, because they've gone out of business.

And yes, I have had a few dealings with Tomtom audio and James is indeed an excellent guy to deal with.

 

[ray70]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, building a good list to choose from. Keep them coming.

I had heard about Radlett Audio - I thought they had moved rather than gone out of business. I went in there once and was amazed at the range of kit they had, but have also heard some bad things with regards to customer service.

 

[JonR]

Well, they are certainly no longer in St Albans, or Radlett for that matter.

Nor did the service have much to commend it, it must be said.

 

[Jasper]

JonR wrote:

GaryC wrote:

If you're feeling brave you could venture in to Radlett Audio in St. Albans.

Actually, no you couldn't, because they've gone out of business.

And yes, I have had a few dealings with Tomtom audio and James is indeed an excellent guy to deal with.

He hasn't gone out of business, he's just closed the shop. He's still selling mail order but you have to know what you want. His website is www.radlettaudio.co.uk and has some interesting ex dem in the "bargain basement". Another alternative is Acoustic Arts, again no shop (at the moment anyway) and talk to Tony, he will bring the kit round for home dem and is very knowlegeable has lots of excellent brands including Densen, Krell, Michell, Sonus Faber etc. www.acousticarts.co.uk for contact details. He's on holiday though for a couple of weeks from tomorrow.

 

[Testure]

jeffg wrote:

Music Matters in Hatch End, Middx (just down the road fromme - never been in there though)

Popped in a number of times, always friendly and helpful. Brands:Musical Fidelity, Wilson Benesh, Chord, Audionet

Also not that far from Music Matters is Harrow Audio: Premium Marantz, B&W, Krell

Testy

 

[jeffg]

Testure wrote:

jeffg wrote:

Music Matters in Hatch End, Middx (just down the road fromme - never been in there though)

Popped in a number of times, always friendly and helpful. Brands:Musical Fidelity, Wilson Benesh, Chord, Audionet

(snip)

Testy

Yeah, I'm intrigued to hear the Arcs against my VR-1. Might have to arrange a dem

Jeff

 

[wow and flutter]

JonR wrote:

GaryC wrote:

If you're feeling brave you could venture in to Radlett Audio in St. Albans.

Actually, no you couldn't, because they've gone out of business.

Still have a website and were certainly trading in February when I bought a tone arm from them. They did however close their shop in Rickmansworth, and move to mail order.

I can definitely recommendMusic Matters at Hatch End - super patient, not pushy, and will try meet our needs and not push the most expensive product.

W&F

 

[Hawk]

Another vote for Noteworthy in Aylesbury, but as Adam says they do have a heavy leaning towards valves and analogue. That said they do also have some ss gear from the likes of Sugden.. plus a few other bits.

Tom Tom are another class act...

Definitive Audio whilst a good hour and a bit up the M1 are well worth a visit if you want something exotic...

Hawk

 

[ray70]

Tom Tom Audio seems to get nothing but praise. Do they have a decent range of non Naim equipment?

 

[ray70]

Just booked a demo with James at Tom Tom Audio next Monday. Let's see what happens

. What if I come away with some you know what equipment?

 

[ray70]

Also going to KJWestOne at lunch time. This could be very exciting (not to mention expensive).

 

[ray70]

This is slowly turning in to a one man thread. Never mind........

Just got back from KJ West One. Listened to Audio Research CD3, Krell KAV 400Xi and Wilson Benesch Curve. Sounded sublime to my ears. Then exchanged the Audio Research fora Krell SACD, which sounded very poor in comparison. Very detailed butbut lacked the timing of the Audio Research. Boring really. Problem with the AR though is that it's a top loader....

They also had a pair of Sonus Fabers Cremonas in the demo room. Too big for my living room, and was very hesitant about listening to them in caseI would like them. Needless to say, they sounded superior to the WB, even though they are similar in price.

It's going to be a long journey before I decide what I want, but now that I've heard some decent equipment, I've decided that I'm going to go for it, big style. Just the small matter of deciding what though. Plan is to buy a system that will put all thoughts of upgrading to the back of my mind once and for all (well, for 5 years at least anyway). This is going to be fun and tortuous at the same time.......

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Ray you have PM