NYC high-end audio store parties like it's 1999

McIntosh Labs president Charlie Randall and some of his favorite things.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Totem Acoustic's Vince Bruzzese with one of his latest creations.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

Recession? What recession? New York City's venerable fixture of high-end audio and video, Stereo Exchange, celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend. It's running a sale through Sunday, November 8 with substantial discounts on select products from several manufacturers. The opening night party on Thursday was jam-packed and there were no shortage of customers!

For the opening night party, many of the participating companies were demonstrating their wares. Featured products on display include: Panasonic's new 85-inch plasma HDTV; NAD's new M2 Direct Digital Amplifier; McIntosh Labs' MEN220 Room Correction System; and Grado's PS 1000 headphones, which I just reviewed for CNET.

Stereo Exchange also sells Anthony Gallo Acoustics, Arcam, Audio Research, Ayre, B&W, Crestron, Furman, Integra, JA Michel, Kaleidescape, Marantz, Meridian, Peachtree Audio, REL, Rotel, Sonus Faber, Totem Acoustic, Transparent Cable, and Wadia. Stereo systems at Stereo Exchange start about $1,000.

For more information on Stereo Exchange, visit its Web site.

The best sounding room at Stereo Exchange featured Vienna Acoustics speakers and Ayre electronics.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

[feverboy777]

What Steve just 2 pictures, come on , lets see some more.....

[alegr]

Wait a sec... Hardwood floor and paneled walls... lots of resonances... And that would be the best sounding room? You only hapened to sit in a point where the sound seemed better. In such a room, frequency responce will change wildly, depending on your sitting.

[warriorant--2008]

I spent a lot of time in the original Stereo Exchange in the 80's. The place was wall to wall with used high end electronics and speakers. My first purchase there was an Audio Research SP8. I loved that hole in the wall original store. And the service was great. If you purchased something and felt there might be a problem with it they took it back no problem and refunded your money. Of course most people took that money and just grabbed something else. When they moved out of there and into the big leagues of high end they left a real void in used equipment.

[Orengeman]

Last I checked (admittedly about 5 years ago), they still had a fairly good used equipment section in the back of the store. I did find, however, that the sales staff was terribly UNhelpful and I ended up buying a pretty nice system at Harvey's in the ABC Carpet showroom.