Most audiophiles were first enamoured by spectacular sound reproduction from a particular "hi-end" system either at a dealer, or at the home of a friend who purchased such a system from a dealer. Once smitten, many audiophiles started frequenting dealers both in their region and outside their region to see and hear the very latest and newest gear on a regular basis. This was particularly true before there were regional Stereophile shows, or CES events that were open to the public. We also went to high end retail outlets to enjoy the pleasure of the company of other audiophile-minded folks like ourselves with whom we could share our trials and tribulations, including the economic frustrations of not being able to afford the latest gear! (All of us were poor at one time or another!). I remember that going to places such as Soundex in Willow Grove, PA and Chestnut Hill Audio in Philly on any given Saturday in the 80's not so much as an adventure in hearing audio gear, but rather, more like attending a social club. The same people were there every week. We not only professed our opinions on the latest gear, but shared much about the music we enjoyed. It's how I came to know a lot about music and musicians of which I was not previously aware. It was, for us, our community's "barbershop". There was genuine camaraderie among us.
It is with great sadness then, that I noticed a particularly famous hi-end retailer, Andy Singer of the veritable "Sound by Singer" in Manhattan, who appears to be closing his doors. After some pondering and reflection, I think I am disproportionately disturbed by this because it is a very real signal of the sea change many of us have been observing for some time now; which is namely, that the "hi end" as we know it is dying. Recall this is a specialty market that at best, 100,000 people belong to as potential customers. The realities of today's economy combined with dramatic improvement in performance of audio gear at reasonable prices that can now be easily obtained as a simple commodities and not as audio "art", allows the vast majority of folks to achieve excellent home music reproduction at affordable prices conveniently. (For part 1, see:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?757-The-B-amp-G-Z-92-or-%93Why-the-Hi-End-is-Doomed%94). No longer is there a need to go into the "sanctum sanctorum" of some arrogant ass of a hi end dealer and put up with "I am the guru, you are my pupil" crap, which is the way most of us broke into the hi end. If SBS closes for good (they claim they lost their lease and may yet emerge again as an entity that may or may not be the same as SBS), I will miss them. I bought my Siegfried's there and Andy Singer has always given me more than my share of the time of day for years even though I did not purchase stuff there regularly. Andy is the quintessential NY audiophile; literally a "bigger than life" dealer who commands respect from manufacturers and consumers alike. Show him a little respect and kindness and he will put himself out there for you and return that kindness by sharing knowledge that you can learn from. However, if you show him rudeness and attitude and you should expect to be ignored in return.
But here's the great paradox. The very thing that made SBS an enjoyable experience for knowledgable audiophiles is what helped kill it commercially. Average Joe is far more afraid of going into a place like SBS than they are of going into an automobile showroom. But you essentially have to go to a new car showroom to buy new car. However, audio gear (with the exception of the most esoteric audio gear) can be bought on-line or at a wide variety of consumer retail stores staffed by doting and friendly salespersons who are not particularly skilled, but are easily accessible. At their worst, they can push buttons and let you hear a lot of different equipment. At their best, well, sadly, it's typically no more than the fact they can push buttons and let you hear a lot of different equipment
Permit me, if you will, to make the analogy that specialized hi end audio dealers are like big pharmaceutical companies. For the past twenty years, big pharma has been a failing business, which is why there have been and will continue to be so many acquisitions and mergers in the industry. In fact, it is predicted that in 10 years, there may only be 5 or 6 big pharma companies left! The top 100 selling drugs cover only 40 pharmaceutical targets or classes and most big pharma companies do not have robust development pipelines with new compounds on their horizons. Some believe that the truly innovative compounds of the future are more likely to be discovered by small biotech companies than big pharma companies. I do not want to make this thread about drug companies, only to point out this analogy: I wonder- how many really specialized hi-end audio dealers will there be nationally in 5-10 years? The answer, sadly, is- probably fewer than there are now especially if the apparent fate of SBS offers any guidance. Here is one of the country's largest retailers (I am no longer referring to Andy Singer's suit size), in one of the most knowledgeable audiophile markets in the world, in one of the most affluent cities of the world, who can't seem to make it. What does that tell us?
I wish I could be more optimistic. But when giants such as SBS start to leave the earth, it seems to me the end of the dinosaur era is close at hand. Yup, I guess that those of us that love hi-end audio gear and have a few grey hairs are indeed dinosaurs. Lest we forget, dinosaurs ruled for a hell of a long time. But hey, everyone's number is up at some time, even hi-end audio dinosaurs and the retailers who served their kind.
Marty
