I would advise to stay away from Sound by Singer unless you want to be treated horribly by an arrogant staff and even worse owner

See the friggin dealer thread for more info

I second that. I'm not too keen on the Audio Salon as well. The guy who runs that is a first rate asshole.

You may want to visit Lyric HiFi on Lexington and 83rd

Stereo Exchange on Broadway and Houston

Park Ave Audio on Park around 34st (I think don't remember for sure)

Innovative Audio (I don't remember where they are)

Hi linden.
I'm excited for you. If I were you, I would give Sound by Singer a shot. Who knows? The other posters may be right, but I'd want to find out for myself. If Sound by Singer doesn't work out, treat yourself to the mac and cheese or the meatloaf at Chat n Chew next door.

I would also check out In Living Stereo on 4th Street, between Broadway and Lafayette. And, after that, I'd stop in Other Music and drop my entire paycheck.

Don't listen to me.

Sound by Singer? I remember, oh, about 1990, visiting my sister in New York City. I was between college and law school, having spent a day mining the NYC record stores (man, that was a full day), and stopped in because, well, everyone knows that SBS is the pre-eminent salon in these here United States. Don't believe me? Ask him, he'll tell you.

So I wandered in, weekday afternoon, nobody in the store. I walked into some of the rooms, where were all open, not touching anything, not asking for any assistance. Just basically admiring the eye candy. After all, I thought, since I'm not winning the lottery, the only reason I'm going to law school was to buy this stuff.

After starting in the first room, a salesman, not tending to anyone, obviously noticed me, and left that first room and proceeded to close the doors to the remaining listening rooms ahead of me. Nobody else was in any of those rooms auditioning equipment. The store was not closing. I was not touching anything. Oh, well.

I'll never go back. But I don't think he cares. With my experience, and those of others I read of, I'm not sure how he stays in business. Maybe there are so many people in NYC that he can afford to offend patrons. Maybe he sells to people who like to buy big shiny stuff to impress their friends. Maybe they just want that one indispensable component for free.

I have had two very different experiences in SBS. The first visit a few years ago was wonderful. The young saleman was very enthusiastic and showed me a great set up, I listened for at least 35 mins. The sound was so great that I wanted to achieve something similar at home. A memory to aim for.

The second experience was not good. I had a brother from out of town who wanted to spend some serious cash. he had given up smoking for 6 months and this was his reward to himself.
No problem, I brought him to SBS to see/hear the hi end!!!
The salesman was indifferent, arrogant and impatient = no sale.

Hope your experience will mirror my first.
thequietman