#Cymbiosis is one of the world's best dealers, although they only do a limited number of top end brands. Peter Swain, the owner of the retailer, until the recent lockdowns used to go globe trotting rebuilding clients LP's and upgrading them. People pay for him to visit them! He is also known to have upgraded a number of Linn / Naim systems. He is my local dealer, and probably the reason that I now have a Naim/Kudos system, with a Pink Triangle Turntable (serviced & upgraded by Peter) and a March DAC (not purchased from Peter) acting as a Roon endpoint.
nopiano
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nopiano
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If I recall correctly it majored on end of lines, that they could buy up at huge discounts. They became the industry’s clearance outlets. But the staff were invariably enthusiastic and helpful, and they just got better.
Ive bought from the original London Bridge store a superb Akai top of the range tuner - long since burgled; AV systems and TV from Plymouth; headphones and accessories from Bristol. All excellent service and prices. And extended warranties that actually deliver, and aren’t disguised commissions for staff.
Yes, I've used the London Bridge shop.
I seem to recall RS in Sevenoaks was extremely small and above a railway.
Someone from there can tell me if I've dreamed that 🙂
nopiano
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That would be ironic given that Sevenoaks is home to a largish rival!!
...yes I'd bet the complication means that Thomann's UK sales have decreased.
I've been happy with Bax in the past - haven't used them since Brexit yet.
My correspondence has always been with their Kent UK base, goods come from (and, when necessary, return to) the Netherlands.
Clarkey_71
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Criterion Audio near Cambridge are my go to shop.
Great facilities and great staff.
A good selection of kit that's aimed more at the mid to higher end market.
criterionaudio.com
Great facilities and great staff.
A good selection of kit that's aimed more at the mid to higher end market.
Criterion Audio | hifi equipment at its very best!
Criterion Audio offers a vast selection of the finest audio equipment from around the world in industry-leading listening facilities.
criterionaudio.com
GSV Ethics Gradient
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I bought a couple of things from them many years ago - I thought he was arrogant and unhelpful.
Al ears
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I think people often have differing opinions as to a particular dealership, as shown here, which is why it is very difficult to answer questions such as these.
Unfortunately the best dealer I encountered went to the wall many years ago and I haven't visited many since owing to their distance from my current location.
Tinman1952
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GSV Ethics Gradient
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I bought my first Pronto from them, and wanted to learn how to program it rather than have to go back to them every time I bought new gear. I've genuinely never been treated as disrespectfully in a shop of any kind*, and the other guy there was obviously embarrassed by it. Still, learned how to program it and have never ben back.
I have a friend who uses them to clean records and he's OK with them - so maybe it's just me... 😱
*Actually, that's not quite true. Mrs 12th bought something from H&M a few years ago and the person who served us was the very definition of what Viz used to call 'lazy, disinterested shopgirl' (although I'm not sure that shouldn't be 'uninterested' to be grammatically correct). On the way out we noticed one of those touchscreens where you can record your views on the shopping experience. Boot well and truly put in...
I have a friend who uses them to clean records and he's OK with them - so maybe it's just me... 😱
*Actually, that's not quite true. Mrs 12th bought something from H&M a few years ago and the person who served us was the very definition of what Viz used to call 'lazy, disinterested shopgirl' (although I'm not sure that shouldn't be 'uninterested' to be grammatically correct). On the way out we noticed one of those touchscreens where you can record your views on the shopping experience. Boot well and truly put in...
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Must be time for someone to post the old favourite Not the 9 o'clock news scetch?
idc
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I found that DV247's site was clearest as to whether or not I could be liable to extra charges due to Brexit. Other people are bound to disagree!
jjbomber
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OMG that’s a blast from my past, I had completely forgotten about those turntables, I remember looking at dreaming of owning one, the LPT was the one that I had my eye on but family arrives, funds diminished and ultimately stuff got dumped in the loft for far too many years.
Dammed good turntables as well, don’t think that I ever saw a bad review.
Anyway if my little grey cells are functioning correctly, it was Astley‘s in Wallingford where I saw them, a damn fine shop, not sure if they are still around though, it’s been a while since I was there.
idc
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The OP was "Best UK Hi Fi dealer/ retailer?" I took that to mean both traditional dealers (I love to say I am off to visit my dealer!) who are hifi specialists and then retailers, which would include John Smiths, PC World, HMV, where you can physically see and sometimes listen and online sellers, who can also be dealers, such as Hifiheadphones, or retailers, such as if you buy online from PC World.
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