Your response here is rude, inaccurate (re: the anger issue), and pretentious, and even though it's not directed at me it is irritating. I even "liked" your earlier post
High end audio predictions and wish lists for 2021
- Thread starter mdp632
- Start date
Your response here is rude, inaccurate (re: the anger issue), and pretentious, and even though it's not directed at me it is irritating. I even "liked" your earlier post
Registrations are now open for this show. I'm looking forward to it if it happens.
apdoc2004
Member
I hope that what you are saying comes true as they get older but so far the demographic you are talking about mostly go for exotic cars and fancy real estate. There is a reason why there is not much of a high end audio scene in the Greater Seattle area.
Anshul
apdoc2004
Member
agreed!
mep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 5,080
You clearly stated the current pricing scheme is for wealthy old white dudes which is clearly wrong. Calling my attempt to enlighten you “rude and pretentious” is way over the top and ridiculous. As for anger issues, you need to look in the mirror.
thedudeabides
New member
Oh well. So we disagree. It would have been nice if you were able to respond to my initial post, with which you obviously disagree, in a civil, respectful, "non irritated" manner. You did not.
Anger is a very self-destructive emotion and I avoid it at all costs.
Anger is a very self-destructive emotion and I avoid it at all costs.
Mike Lavigne
Member
totally disagree.
lot's of serious high end audiophiles in Seattle, and for that matter from Portland to Vancouver B.C. is a strong region for HiFi. huge DIY scene, and lots of manufacturers too.
no doubt audiophiles are always a small count anywhere. but our high levels of education, strong tech economy, hifi friendly weather, and proximity to the Pacific Rim makes us a fertile ground. the age thing is real....i agree; but if you expand the definition of audiophile to include serious Headphone fanatics, then there are lot's of those. and at some point many of those graduate to 2-channel speaker listening as their lives evolve.
i think COVID has also added to the audiophile register.....as it fits the situation very well.
feel free to PM me and we can get together when you feel safe to do so.
this year it's been trampled down by COVID-19; but lots of action in Seattle and an active local club too.
apdoc2004
Member
Mike,
Thank you for the offer. You are certainly the exception to what I said! You are probably in the top 10 people when it comes to being an audiophile perfectionist.
I guess my comment was based upon my several contacts/friends who work in the IT industry and have no interest in high end audio. Also, I feel that given the affluent population that we have in this area, we should be served by many more audio dealers representing a wider variety of audio brands -- I am tired of the same brands that you find at Definitive audio. As an example, we do not have a single Magico dealer in the Greater Seattle area! I could say the same for several other top notch speaker and amplifier brands. Some of the smaller local dealers have given me the same feedback that they find it difficult to sell even their mid tier stuff to people working the in the tech industry. Your perspective might be different.
Anshul
Mike Lavigne
Member
Anshul, thank you for the kind comment.
i respect your comments; but i think your conclusions as to what constitutes a healthy high end audio community are flawed. agree that we have a small number of close in brick and mortar high end audio stores. but there are any number of small home entertainment install companies servicing the area, and some quality brick and mortar hifi dealers in the wider area. and in Portland and Vancouver there are more than Seattle. and high end gear acquisition is more without borders and an on line and national process.
i'd say the costs of doing business as a high end dealer in the State of Washington are considerable. in addition to a 10% sales tax (zero in Portland), we have something called a B & O tax (business and occupation tax) which is a .005 tax on gross receipts that cannot be passed on to a consumer (i manage a car dealership and this line item is about $800k a year for us). and that tax is paid whether you make a dime or lose a million. so any business with high gross receipts and small margins is going to get screwed. combine that with very high wages and high rent and it's a tough deal for a high end dealer and anyone marginal will not stick around long.
Definitive Audio's business model is much about commercial automation and insurance work as it is about home audio. so they have some economies of scale helping. i was friends with their former owners for years. it's why their product lines are limited to where their margins are protected. turning dollars is not the formula for success.
i can agree with you about things missing (or lacking 'at-hand' variety), but still see the area as alive with high end audio activities. i'm not much for brick and mortar brands for the last 20 years.
there is a Magico dealer in both Portland and Vancouver.
of course; we could ask Mike to open 'Suncoast Audio--Seattle Branch'.
plenty of money and opportunities, but also some built in high expenses.
apdoc2004
Member
Anshul, thank you for the kind comment.
i respect your comments; but i think your conclusions as to what constitutes a healthy high end audio community are flawed. agree that we have a small number of close in brick and mortar high end audio stores. but there are any number of small home entertainment install companies servicing the area, and some quality brick and mortar hifi dealers in the wider area. and in Portland and Vancouver there are more than Seattle. and high end gear acquisition is more without borders and an on line and national process.
i'd say the costs of doing business as a high end dealer in the State of Washington are considerable. in addition to a 10% sales tax (zero in Portland), we have something called a B & O tax (business and occupation tax) which is a .005 tax on gross receipts that cannot be passed on to a consumer (i manage a car dealership and this line item is about $800k a year for us). and that tax is paid whether you make a dime or lose a million. so any business with high gross receipts and small margins is going to get screwed. combine that with very high wages and high rent and it's a tough deal for a high end dealer and anyone marginal will not stick around long.
Definitive Audio's business model is much about commercial automation and insurance work as it is about home audio. so they have some economies of scale helping. i was friends with their former owners for years. it's why their product lines are limited to where their margins are protected. turning dollars is not the formula for success.
i can agree with you about things missing (or lacking 'at-hand' variety), but still see the area as alive with high end audio activities. i'm not much for brick and mortar brands for the last 20 years.
there is a Magico dealer in both Portland and Vancouver.
of course; we could ask Mike to open 'Suncoast Audio--Seattle Branch'.
plenty of money and opportunities, but also some built in high expenses.
Mike,
Appreciate your response.
Agree with Mike opening an outpost of Suncoast audio west coast — that would be awesome.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I only wish we had the opportunities and availability to shop any kind of good audio, let alone Hi-End here on the Central Coast of California. There are no stores what so ever to shop even decent audio. You have to travel to the LA area or the SF area to find any real B+M stores. Consider yourself lucky in Seattle.
We do have a fairly active audio club which is mostly mid-fi; I think we have about 100 members. Several DIY's and the like. A few hi-end systems and a couple very hi-end. If there were better access to equipment then we might have a higher level of gear in the club. It is extremely difficult to shop hi-end gear from here.
Our club does include a writer for Stereophile and an audio manufacture. There used to be more hi-tech in this area then there is now.
The thing is the Central Coast has some serious wealth, renowned retirement communities, wineries, famous beaches, etc., and probably could support an exceptional B+M store if one would move in (hint, Mr. Mike), say San Luis Obispo or south a bit, like Pismo Beach, etc. South a little puts you in direct range of Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Solvang, etc.; much closer for them then going to LA. You are talking some serious bucks. For example, Santa Barbara is about an hour from my house.
Another funny thing about this area is there are at least two or three very nice long standing music stores who have very good selections of both new and used vinyl and CDs.
We do have a fairly active audio club which is mostly mid-fi; I think we have about 100 members. Several DIY's and the like. A few hi-end systems and a couple very hi-end. If there were better access to equipment then we might have a higher level of gear in the club. It is extremely difficult to shop hi-end gear from here.
Our club does include a writer for Stereophile and an audio manufacture. There used to be more hi-tech in this area then there is now.
The thing is the Central Coast has some serious wealth, renowned retirement communities, wineries, famous beaches, etc., and probably could support an exceptional B+M store if one would move in (hint, Mr. Mike), say San Luis Obispo or south a bit, like Pismo Beach, etc. South a little puts you in direct range of Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Solvang, etc.; much closer for them then going to LA. You are talking some serious bucks. For example, Santa Barbara is about an hour from my house.
Another funny thing about this area is there are at least two or three very nice long standing music stores who have very good selections of both new and used vinyl and CDs.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Would have to be further south though. You guys already have a good selection in the Northwest
.
BTW id Mike wants to open a west coast store I would love to discuss our products and wish him the best luck
Mike is maxed out. My wife has a real job working 12 hour shifts as a specialist RN, an RT, COPDe and a bunch of other medical stuff I haven’t a clue much about. I have 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats to care for, 3 adult old fart hockey leagues I play in, coaching kids hockey Friday nights and Sunday mornings, rental properties to manage, my daughter is in pre-vet, so that means early 6am mornings dropping her off at the farm and FFA (Future Farmers of America) meetings and oh yeah, Suncoast Audio, The Florida Audio Expo, Audioshark, etc.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Randy Myers
Well-known member
And you don't have any more time for us
...Dam Mike, you are a busy guy
... I thought I got tired after work, and you are doing several jobs. Mikey needs some relaxation time .Santa Barbara has Mission Audio Video, which has a reasonable selection of high end brands
And you don't have any more time for us
Dam Mike, you are a busy guy
Was going to take next week off, but have demos Monday and Tuesday!
My hockey is relaxing! Took this picture Tuesday night. This is the best of my three teams. Still old farts! LOL.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I was at one of the 3 remaining mom and pop audio stores here in town last week and gear was flying out of the store. Since COVID hit their sales have skyrocketed. They are selling a lot of Anthem AVR'S and 2 ch all in one int. amps with streamers and dac's built in.
I suspect that all in one integrated amps are going to be where it's at for most younger people. Even my 29 yo son is selling off his separates and going with an all in one Cary integrated. With companies like Primare with their Prisma all in one integrateds and NAD with their upgradeable DAC modules, it makes it very appealing.
And lets not forget about Schiit Audio with their very good sounding budget gear that is introducing good sounding gear to a whole generation of younger people.
I suspect that all in one integrated amps are going to be where it's at for most younger people. Even my 29 yo son is selling off his separates and going with an all in one Cary integrated. With companies like Primare with their Prisma all in one integrateds and NAD with their upgradeable DAC modules, it makes it very appealing.
And lets not forget about Schiit Audio with their very good sounding budget gear that is introducing good sounding gear to a whole generation of younger people.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
I have been there a couple times. The have virtually nothing in stock, they have a single "kid" selling audio who is VERY opinionated and has little actual knowledge. He completed BS's answers, etc. Also, even before covid their hours where pretty much non-existent, or inconsistent at least. Twice I drove down to find they decided to not open that day. And what they have in the store was rather sparse... so yea, I don't consider Mission an audio store. It appears their only real interest is in installing home theater systems, not selling audio.
Which is really pitiful considering that they are located in the middle of Santa Barbara.
And this would be one of the problems for me with having more than one location.