Re-Tales

Re-Tales #6: Online sales get personal

Julie Mullins Mar 04, 2021 First Published: Mar 04, 2021

It's 2021, and the audio business marches ever onward. Accelerated by the pandemic, economic transformation continues apace; online sales are burgeoning across all industries. This includes hi-fi, which is under pressure to facilitate more online sales, andmaybe, for somemove away from the traditional dealer-based sales model.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #5: Pro audio and hi-fi cross over

Julie Mullins Feb 02, 2021 First Published: Feb 02, 2021

Why is there so much separation between the professional audio and audiophile worlds? Is that separation by design, or even necessity? Is it naïve to believe that more crossover could benefit both sides?

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #4: Bring service back

Julie Mullins Jan 04, 2021 First Published: Jan 04, 2021

Walter Swanbon has had a lot on his mind lately. Like many dealers, he's been busy adapting to changes, but the pandemic has also offered time for reflection.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #3: The Risks and Rewards of Audio Shows

Julie Mullins Nov 25, 2020 First Published: Nov 25, 2020

Several audio shows have been canceled or postponed since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in early 2020: Munich, AXPONA, RMAF, Montreal, and the 2021 Florida Audio Expo, among others. The next scheduled show is the Finest Audio Show, slated for January 910 in Zurich. The next one in the Americas is the inaugural Seattle Audio Fest, planned for July 30August 1. AXPONA, America's biggest show, near Chicago, was recently postponed for the second time until late August. Depending on how the pandemic evolves, it's possible those shows will not be able to take place as planned, either.

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #2: Dealerships forge ahead during the pandemic

Julie Mullins Oct 19, 2020 First Published: Oct 19, 2020

The sense of hope I've been feeling may have started with those Sinatra swells, the on-hold music I heard when I called to interview the first audio dealer I talked to for this story. I wanted to know what's been happening with their businesses during the pandemic. Are there reasons for at least cautious optimism?

Re-Tales

Re-Tales #1: George Vatchnadze's Newest Gig

Julie Mullins Sep 24, 2020 First Published: Sep 24, 2020

Access to musical information isn't guaranteed, whether it's limited by the resolution of a recording, your audio system, or an oppressive political regime. George Vatchnadze, concert pianist and dealer in high-end audio equipment, has experience with all three.

Interviews Jana Dagdagan Re-Tales

A Conversation with Philly Audio Retailer Doug White

Jana Dagdagan Mar 29, 2017 First Published: Mar 29, 2017

This past weekend, John Atkinson, Herb Reichert, and I drove down to Philadelphia to visit audio retailer Doug White of The Voice That Is. In this video, Doug and JA discuss the challenges of a rapidly changing internet based market, the differences between buying online versus buying from your local dealer, and much more.

As We See It Re-Tales Think Pieces

Audio Retailing: Change is Certain

Larry Archibald May 28, 2010 First Published: Sep 28, 1992

People of my generation have learned that change is certain. You can't know what the change will be, but you can bank on the fact that there will be serious change over the next ten years. Look at the historically most important change in ten years: microcomputers.

Features Interviews Re-Tales

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Steve Guttenberg Feb 03, 2002 First Published: Feb 03, 2002

There's one phrase a Ferrari dealer never hears from a potential customer: "Ferrari? What's a Ferrari?" Marques such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati are so embedded in mainstream culture that their dealers never have to introduce an unfamiliar but exorbitantly expensive set of wheels to their prospects.

As We See It Re-Tales Think Pieces

The High-End Review

John Atkinson Sep 19, 1997 First Published: Sep 19, 1993

"To be an influence in any society...one can be a little different, but only a little; a little above one's neighbours, but not too much."---C.P. Snow, The Masters, 1951