SIGNALS

I used to frequent a great little place in Eau Claire, Wisconsin called Elite Audio. It was opened and ran by two guys who used to work for another place called Mountain (something, can't remember, getting old) These guys were awesome. They would let you come in and kick the tires on all sorts of great quality audio, even if they knew you wouldn't buy, because it was building up good will and someday you would. I eventually did. Bought some great used stuff there too. These guys loved to talk about the experience, knew all sorts of things about great music, movies. Loved to demo stuff. Most of all, they knew their stuff. They could educate you on WHY something was better and they backed that up with setting up the gear to be its best. You got the whole experience. Now they are gone (though one of the partners is still in town under the same name, but he only repairs gear, though that is an awesome service as well. Thanks Walt, you rock!) and I wish I could still go there. Our kids are pretty much done with college, and I have some free cash to spend, I could be a better customer then I once was, and they would definitely get the business. I go to Best Buy, and not only do they not even have the audio stuff even set up to demo, the sales people are pretty dense. I know so much more then any of they do. Its sad. BB sales person this week, McDonalds next week. Oh well, guess its part of the sad state we find our country in, in general these days, but that's another subject altogether. I also miss my small independent record shops, esp. the used ones. Used to be hunting for some old obscure music was a years long quest, and when it was found, it was a delight! The hunt was part of the thrill. Today, I can sit in my pajamas at the computer at 3AM and call up anything my heart desires (usually for free if I just want to listen), and that is awesome. I will never bad mouth digital music, the ability to stream it, have 3000 songs on a stick to randomly come up in my car or on a walk, is almost like a miracle, but I do miss something from the old days. Maybe it was just being young, I do miss that.

At Brick and Mortar shop you could come in at the end of the month with $2000 cash and usually buy a $3000 item..

Those days are not coming back, and I'm afraid your metaphor extends even further, real houses of worship are just as dying a breed as the Hi-Fi shop. (As I'm typing this, Hi-Fi in any variation is being flagged as a typo, enough said)

Lawrence Hi-Fi was a watershed for me in the early 70's. I was a kid who couldn't afford even their entry-level Dual and Sansui systems. But, I, as a 12-year old kid, was always welcomed in and allowed listening sessions in their sound room. My first big memory comes from listening to Wishbone Ash's Vas Dis on Bose 901s powered with McIntosh amps. Today if you can find a Hi-Fi store you can't get arrested unless they think if you've got 10K ,or more ready to drop, and an appointment. It's like why are you here?.. These places helped themselves out of business by attitude and price. Though I read Stereophile and The Absolute Sound I find myself mad because 80% of the stuff they review is ridiculously high priced. You see when I was old enough I bought a McIntosh C-26 preamp from Lawrence and it was because several years earlier they just loved showing a kid stuff. What happened to affordable gear and a welcome mat?

My two favorite shops were called the Sound Room and Classic Stereo.
The Sound Room closed, about the time Classic Stereo began. Lost Classic Stereo in the GFC. Now KAZOO Audio is on the scene. I've known the owner for 35 years, who worked at both prior establishments.

Customer is key. I enjoy being able to preview products and bring in music in what ever form I have to audition. Staff is very knowledgeable about all music genres.

I will keep buying audio/video products from this store as I get support that I would not receive at something like Magnolia.