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Conference hips::uk_audioo

Title:You get surface noise in real life too
Notice:Let's be conformist
Moderator:GOVT02::BARKER
Created:Thu Jul 28 1988
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:550
Total number of notes:3847

536.0. "Audio T buy Reading HiFi" by KERNEL::HOGGAND () Thu Apr 04 1996 09:24

    I think it is safe to post this now.....
    
    Audio T, the BADA retailer chain have bought out Reading HiFi, based in
    Queens Walk, Reading. The store will continue to trade under its
    current name for a while until a couple of changes are made to the
    store. Simon Walker, manager of the Basingstoke branch is to take over
    control of the Reading branch.
    
    More details as they arrive.
    
    Dave.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
536.1METSYS::BENNETTStraight no chaser..Mon Dec 16 1996 14:428
    It's done and dusted.. Simon is in charge now. Kieth is
    still there (he drinks in my local) and Dominic has gone to
    the Oxford branch.
    
    BTW, Audio T have a Naim franchise.. something that Reading HiFi lusted
    after for a long time..
    
    John
536.2Audio T = Lowered standards!CHEFS::MOAKESRMon Dec 16 1996 15:2815
    
    Yet another example of a local shop being bought up by some anonymous
    chain.  At this rate all the shops in the average town will be owned by
    5 or 6 huge retail groups.
    
    I used to buy equipment at Reading Hi-Fi,  it was a nice shop run by
    nice people,  now it is a classic example of a "box-shifting"
    operation,  they are even selling Aiwa!  I don't call that Hi-Fi.
    
    I am afraid that I will be taking any future business to Westwood &
    Mason in Oxford,  at least that shop is still run by real people and
    not corporate clones.
    
    Richard
536.3Keep it clean43610::WATSONEenie meenie minee moe...That one!Mon Dec 16 1996 16:517
    Richard,
    	Although I may agree with what you are saying, you're running
    pretty close to Digital P&P re comments on Aiwa etc.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Rik
536.4Positively Squeaky!CHEFS::MOAKESRTue Dec 17 1996 08:5618
    
    Rik,
    
    I was careful not to criticise Aiwa directly,  they have a place in the
    consumer electronics market, just not at shops like Reading Hi-Fi.
    
    Leave the consumer goods to Dixons etc... and let the specialists look
    after the specialist equipment.
    
    I fear for a homogonised future,  where everyone has no choice.
    
    We should all value and fight to preserve diversity in areas such as
    Hi-Fi.
    
    Set Victor_Meldrew_Mode = Off
    
    Richard
536.5;-)43610::WATSONEenie meenie minee moe...That one!Tue Dec 17 1996 10:205
    No problem, I just didn't want anything to escalate.
    
    Anyway, I'm happy for a homogonised future, just as long as it's Linn.
    
    Rik
536.6METSYS::BENNETTStraight no chaser..Tue Dec 17 1996 10:5423
     
    A word in support of Audio T..
    
    I've dealt with Audio T in Basingstoke. They were helpful and 
    accommodating. I bought a Naim amplifier. I had also bought a
    second-hand Thorens turntable through Diamond Free Ads. Simon had
    a look at it, levelled the suspension, and mounted a cartridge
    that I had bought in Reading HiFi. I wouldn't have any problems
    dealing with them again.
    
    The same level of service is exactly what I got in Reading HiFi.
    
    So, come on.. there's enough ballsox and snobbery in and around
    Hi Fi. I wouldn't buy any Meridian, Linn (except for an LP12)
    or MicroMega. I don't like the sound of it, but I wouldn't put
    anyone off the idea of going to a shop that sells the stuff.
    
    Each to his/her own..
    
    John
536.7...just a luddite really!CHEFS::MOAKESRTue Dec 17 1996 12:2714
    
    Don't get me wrong,  I don't have any reason to dislike Audio-T (well,
    perhaps their choice to sell certain brands ;-) )
    
    I am just one of those luddites who likes locally owned shops run by
    local people.  You can build a long term relationship with these sort
    of businesses.  I don't want to be viewed as a "punter".
    
    Still,  it's a fact now,  they have been taken over,  I will just have
    to make the trek up to Oxford in future.
    
    Richard
    
    ( I run QUAD equipment,  so I guess it qualifies me as a luddite! )
536.8METSYS::BENNETTStraight no chaser..Tue Dec 17 1996 14:327
    I appreciate what you're saying, Richard.
    
    I also appreciate the sudden resurgance of interest and exchange of
    ideas in this conference. Small beginnings.. maybe, but refreshing
    nonetheless.
    
    John
536.9Thimbs up!KERNEL::HOGGANDMon Feb 24 1997 13:5315
    Well, I vote in favour of Audio T taking over Reading HiFi. I've been
    dealing with them over the past few years and do admit to finding the
    "box shifting" comment rather humourous; something you will discover
    after chatting to Simon for a while. He will tell you, in no uncertain
    terms, about his belief about what is quality and what is not. However,
    it is a business and it needs to make money. Stocking Awai, Yamaha and
    the like does not make is a low-end shop; indeed many a mid-fi shopper
    will have their first exposure to real high fidelity on entering a shop
    that stocks both - good for the customer, good for Simon and good for
    the industry.
    
    I would, and do, use Audio T as a preferred retailer.
    
    Dave.