I had a superb experience with Decibel Audio. They were the only dealer of Kef speakers in the…read moreChicago area, speakers that I had read stunning reviews of and wanted to test. I was referred to Adam at Decibel, who is an owner. He spent 3 hours with me on the day I went there to listen to the speakers, he recommended a specific speaker model suitable for my living space and listening tastes (all classical, mainly chamber), I had brought a couple of my cd's with me, he recommended a specific cd player which was so good it enhanced magnificently the very old cd recordings I deliberately brought with me (because I love them). Then, because I have a large LP collection, he recommended a specific turntable and stylus. He hooked up the cd player and then the turntable and I was blown away by their incredible, natural, precise, warm sounds.
On top of that, he told me that various components were on sale, which was a nice plus.
I had in my then home some old high-end equipment (B&W 801's, a custom made tube amp, custom made turntable, etc) which I asked if they would be interested in as a trade-in. He offered to look at them, I sent photos, he said he would move the equipment to his shop and then determine the value.
The trade-in value he gave me, after his truly exhaustive research, was more than I expected, and even with respect to one piece for which he couldn't determine the value, he offered to sell it for me on consignment (I declined and simply wanted to donate it to him, but he insisted on giving me something for it).
On top of that, they delivered and set up the system in my new abode, spent many hours doing that, training me, testing it, and then returned a week later to switch the speaker stands he recommended (which weren't in stock originally) which also were hugely discounted and he thought better than the loaner stands he gave me, retested all the equipment, and has left me with a concert hall quality sound system that is breathtakingly accurate and spacious, at an incredibly fair price.
They are a pleasure to work with, no hard sell, no special fake listening room (just a normal, open space with stuff and people in it), very responsive and very, very honest.
I cannot more highly recommend them, whatever your level of interest might be. (Incidentally, they have a large variety of equipment).
(This review is entirely voluntary. I had to ask them where I could post a review.)
John Stiefel
Chicago, IL
