Re-Tales

Re-Tales #30: Just Keep on Usin' Me

Julie Mullins Feb 22, 2023 First Published: Feb 22, 2023

Those of us who aren't wealthy must often sell something before we can buy a new piece of hi-fi gear, and it's usually another piece of hi-fi gear. Selling in order to buy makes a great deal of sense because, after all, you only need one of everything (or two in the case of speakers) at a time in a two-channel system.

Another secondary-marketplace incentive: As I pointed out a couple of Re-Tales columns ago, the higher prices rise on new equipment, the more appealing pre-owned gear becomes.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #29: Carving Out Space in the Real World

Julie Mullins Feb 01, 2023 First Published: Feb 01, 2023

In last month's Re-Tales column, I discussed the impact the current economy is having on the hi-fi industry. Some hi-fi companies said sales have "normalized" after widespread, dramatic increases during the COVID yearswhich is to say, sales are down relative to their peak but still strong. Others have noticed customers biding time before making expensive purchases or opting to buy less-expensive equipment than originally planned. Yet, even in this risky economic climate, a few people are taking the risk and opening new brick-and-mortar retail stores.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #28: A hi-fi market health check

Julie Mullins Jan 04, 2023 First Published: Jan 04, 2023

How healthy is the hi-fi market? One widely reported silver lining of the pandemic was increased sales of anything to do with home entertainment, including hi-fi. Recently, though, inflation has broken out and the stock market tanked. Higher prices all aroundfrom shipping and logistics to necessary parts and raw materialsadded pressure from all sides.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #27: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes in the hi-fi industry

Julie Mullins Dec 08, 2022 First Published: Dec 08, 2022

I spoke with people working in hi-fi to get a sense for how the industry is evolving. Here's one way: Some companies at the market's higher end are eschewing the traditional distribution model, in which a domestic company serves as middleman for products from overseas, buying and reselling inventory to dealers and then providing support. In the newer model, distribution services are provided by the overseas manufacturing company itself, either directly or via a US subsidiary. Brinkmann, dCS, Estelon, Gryphon, and T+A employ variations on the model.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #26: Building an audiophile community

Julie Mullins Nov 01, 2022 First Published: Nov 01, 2022

Audiophilia often leads the afflicted on a long journey, but no one need take that journey alone: Many audiophiles seek the company of like-minded people, on-line or in person, to exchange tips and advice, buy and sell gear, and share skills, fun, and musical experiences. And those who don't seek audiophile companionship? Perhaps they should.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #25: Get rid of the ego, keep the fun and the music

Julie Mullins Oct 06, 2022 First Published: Oct 06, 2022

Attracting new customers is essential for brick-and-mortar dealerships' long-term survival. Over the last several years, many b&m dealerships have continued to expand into home automation and custom installation. Home theater is also undergoing a resurgence. These services can supportand complementtwo-channel audio-equipment sales.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #24: Third time's the charm

Julie Mullins Aug 25, 2022 First Published: Aug 25, 2022

It's not every day that someone opens a new brick-and-mortar hi-fi store. A variety of factors make the prospects of such a venture uncertain at best. Hi-fi industry veteran Michael Klein, though, has the guts and seasoned-salesman charm to make a go of it.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #23: A pressing matter

Julie Mullins Jul 28, 2022 First Published: Jul 28, 2022

Like many fans of music on vinyl, I've grown accustomed to waiting for preordered records. For several years, record-pressing plants have been oversubscribed; there just aren't enough presses to keep up with demand. When vinyl declined in the 1980sreplaced first by cassette tape and then by CDold presses were abandoned, falling to rust and disrepair before the vinyl revival, leaving the industry with limited capacity.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #22: Is it time for a tube surge?

Julie Mullins Jun 16, 2022 First Published: Jun 16, 2022

In last month's Re-Tales, I discussed what was happening on the vacuum-tube landscape, especially tube shortages resulting from Russia's war on Ukraine and its consequences for trade. Tube availability is, of course, a small concern compared to continuing Russian atrocities and the resulting suffering of Ukrainians. Still, it's a question tubed-electronics lovers and makers must grapple with, and we're a hi-fi magazine. So: If that Russian tube supply is curtailed or boycotted, what are the alternatives for manufacturers and individual buyers?

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #21: Much a-tube about nothing?

Julie Mullins May 19, 2022 First Published: May 19, 2022

Unless you live under a rock, you've followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. You know something about sanctions against Russia and Russia's responses to those sanctions. If, in addition to not living under a rock, you're a tube-audio aficionado or electric guitar nut, you may have thought about a likely consequence of that war that's far less momentous than the destruction and carnage we see on TV: Will I be able to get new tubes for my amplifier? Especially those lovely Russia-made tubes.