John's the best - love going to his place to see what's new in the listening room. He's always taken care of me and my Dad over the last 40 + years read more

The Audio Connection is one-of-a-kind. The proprietor, John, has been in the game for 45 years and it shows; he can assess what you are after quite quickly and you can enjoy the rest of your time there chatting with him. I brought my one of my Single-Ended Triode 300b mono-block tube amplifiers to have an issue addressed and Kevin had it sorted in no time. They have a diverse collection of audio gear for sale and a no-nonsense listening room to let one do just that, listen. They carry all sorts, but if you are a tubehead, you would have to be mental not to see what they have on offer. read more

This is the stand-out best place to buy audio systems in the area. Before learning of it, I bought an exceptional HiFi from a competitor five years ago. This year I bought a God-tier system from John for the same price. Imagine a brilliant man spending decades obsessing over every piece of, combinations of, and improving tweaks to hardware with the sole aim of bringing his love of optimal music to anyone lucky enough to walk through his door. That's John. We are so lucky that he exists and is in Seattle. read more

I'm euphoric about finding 'The Audio Connection' store in my time of desperate need for a new compact disc player. Old school is defiantly what this store represents and I love it. The gods answered my prayers for not only when an old school stereo & hi fi store to replace my compact disc player. But a place with a person who understood audio equipment. Now if your looking for a place like a Best Buy your sadly not gonna find it, but the guy working here knew his audio equipment and shared years of knowledge to place me into something I'd enjoy and use for another 10 years. I wasn't upsold so you need not fear this. You can sit in the listening room and jam out on a couch like you'd be doing at a college dorm. It's cluttered but felt homey so much you wanna go back just to hang with dude. I'm thinking of new speakers so I'll be back soon. As you can see I'm fabulously ecstatic with my purchase so come and buy all your gear @ THE AUDIO CONNECTION! read more

I was returning my child to university. Her small desktop hi-fi system was needing a new speaker cable. As an outsider to Seattle, it is not clear what is going on, but if you are wanting to find a national chain, it will likely be well outside of the city. I went to Best Buy. Because of the massive shift to smart speakers, powered speakers, and wireless speakers, they don't even carry common speaker wire and barely have RCA cables. I looked up stores that were near by and found the Audio Connection. If you are familiar with your high end stereo store, at first glance, you won't recognize where you are. It's a desk/counter up front with a working diagnostics bench and a selection of vacuum tubes. Without having the equipment in front of him, John described the speakers, their rounded edges, and the fact we didn't need to bother with banana plugs and could just use the twist caps. John had a spool of discontinued AudioQuest wire and measure off a couple of yards and stripped the wires. While we waited, he invited us to the hidden showroom which is stuffed full of speakers and amps to audition as well as a wax cylinder player and what I think is a harpsichord. He's a walking stereo equipment encyclopedia and if you need anything around traditional hifi, this is the place I would start with. I think he charged me $15 for the speaker cable. read more

I was looking for a tube preamp and found this store online and decided to check it out as it looked promising. I am so glad I did! John is just awesome! He is by far the most knowledgeable audiophile I've ever met in my 20+ years of enjoying the hobby. I highly recommend his expertise to anyone who is looking for repairs or especially turntable services, which I will soon be going back for a cartridge upgrade, "no reason to deal with anyone else". He may not tell you what you want to hear, but he'll tell you the 100% honest truth which I totally respect! Don't look any further for your high end audio needs. This place will take care of you without trying to get into your wallet. read more

I have been using John's service and support for 5 years now. Rouge, rega, and Audio Monitor have been my choice of equipment he has been selling and supporting. In today's world, one on one customer service has almost all but died, not at Audio Connection! John's friendly and approachable personality along with his vast knowledge of Stereo equipment has made me a loyal customer. read more

I went to John because of his convenient location and flawless Yelp reviews, and was not disappointed! He replaced a damaged motor and made sure the new one was properly installed, which I never could've done on my own. A little pricier than I expected for a simple repair, but for the expertise and service they provided, it was absolutely reasonable for a small local business. I'll be on my way back the second I need something else audio-related. read more

This shop is a true gem in the Seattle stereo gear sales and repair landscape. I found the store after looking for places that are able to perform tuneup and repair work on a late-70s turntable I was given and have had on a shelf at home for over 10 years. John not only tuned it up, but had some great cartridge and rewire recommendations that will make the turntable sing. Along the way, I discovered in his store an excellent bookshelf speaker pair that I will be purchasing today and a phenomenal Marantz CD player that I'll also be picking up and adding to the vintage stereo system that I'm currently assembling. Shops like this one are hard to find and I'm glad I found John's store. read more

I'm so glad I found this shop. I had a headshell with a broken wire that John repaired for me and then recommended and installed a cartridge for my turntable. He then spent a good amount of time perfectly balancing the tonearm and my records have never sounded better. I also picked up a record cleaning brush which he taught me to use properly. He really knows his stuff and I enjoyed watching him work and chatting with him. I'll definitely return when I'm in the market for better speakers. read more

The Audio Connection - new cartridge and brush - sorted! - Electronics Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Behind The Audio Connection's modest entryway lies one of the best sounding listening rooms that I've heard in the Seattle area's audio stores. If you are most concerned about flashy looking equipment or having someone flatter you for the expensive audio equipment you own, this isn't the place for you. BUT, if you love listening to music and care about how musical your system can sound, THIS is the place for you. John, the owner, has strong opinions, but those opinions come from extensive experience in putting together good sounding systems from components that offer great value for money. His product selections are not inexpensive by any means, but offer excellent value. When you are shopping for good sounding audio systems, spending more money doesn't necessarily open up better sounding options. John is a great guide in helping to building a musical sounding system to fit your budget. read more

This is the place!. I have never been given bad advice in the over 25 (? maybe 24 or 26) years I have been doing business with John. I look at other places but always end up purchasing here. Advice is solid and the product line is while not big, is nothing you can go wrong with. As good as it gets! read more

John is an absolute breath of fresh air after breathing the foul stench of Hawthorne Stereo

They don't make 'em like John anymore. He is pure kindness and an old-growth ecology type of information about all things audio and records. A living treasure. He is literally at your service. We arrived as newbies to analog and left so well educated and attended to. We got a system to die for and have been savoring it ever since. John even followed up with us the next day to ensure we got everything set up properly. He made sure we got all components squared away before leaving his shop too so it would be minimally challenging to work with upon getting home. Most of all we deeply enjoyed his temperament which is so bright and full of heart and devotion to the technology of sound. We had such fun talking music and history and figuring out what would serve our particularities best. What a rad dude. Please give yourself the gift of giving him your business and letting him take awesome care of you like he so naturally knows how to do. read more

I have known John for over 10 years and he has consistently given me the best audio advice. Every time I have bought a product or followed his recommendation, the result has been a significant increase in the quality of sound. If you are looking to improve your system Audio Connection is the first place I would go. read more

John is so good at what he does, guiding people in the complex world of performance audio is effortless for him and all his customers.

The Audio Connection is GREAT. John knows more about hi-fi than anyone I know. I have never been disappointed with anything I purchased there, most recently a Cary SLI 80 and several other pieces over the years. John has integrity and experience. Look around, but don't buy till you check this place out. read more

I wanted a new turntable. I have a little Crosley that played the couple records I own. I never expected it but my collection started to grow. That along with the nice amp and speakers I just bought made me realize I needed to get more out of my records. Step One: figure out what you have and what you want. I am not an audiophile and doubt I can really tell the difference between an entry-level and a more professional set up. I want something nice but don't want to break the bank, especially when it may not be worth it to me. Step Two: Research! Where to begin? I came across some entry-level tables that seemed nice: Audio-Technica AT LP120 and Music Box USB-1. These tables can connect to your computer and transfer your vinyl to mp3s. Not something I really care about but it seems pretty neat. Upon reading reviews of these I came to realize that if I spent a little more I can get a better product that audiophiles would approve of (of course, we are all in search of approval). This is where I came across the Pro-Ject Carbon and Pro-Ject Debut III. Both got rave reviews about being great entry level tables where the Carbon is at $400 and Debut III at $300. The problem is the Carbon replaced the Debut III but, from what I understand, the Debut can still be found but mostly online and I, for one, would rather buy it from a local retailer. Step Three: Take the leap and listen to what you've been researching. We can research as much as we can but it takes talking to someone who really knows what they are talking about to get some solid information. I knew I wouldn't find these tables at the big box stores and I would prefer to buy local. Now only if there was a website that can connect me to a lot of local home audio stores that carry good equipment. Oh yes, Yelp! That is how I found Audio Connection in University District. I ended up calling Audio Connection asking if they have the Pro-Ject Debut III and John, the owner said they don't have it but they do have the Carbon. Before I expressed interest in the Carbon he went on to tell me why the Carbon is not a great turntable and at that price ($400) I should spend a little more and get a Rega RP1 because it is a better product. Before I can explain that $450 was more than I was willing to spend for my first turntable, he told me that they do have the Pro-Ject Essential for $300 and at that price it is a steal. He then went into detail on why it is a good product and why it should be a good contender for one's first turntable. So what did I end up doing? I ended up drinking because my coworker friend and I both had the day off and that is what you are supposed to do. But you can bet your ass I went over to The Audio Connection when I sobered up. When I walked in I realized they were going to close in 10 minutes. But the owner, who is one of the most enthusiastic people I've met, greeted me. We talked a little more about the turntable and after realizing I could spend a long time "thinking about it" and doing more researching I knew this was a great deal I couldn't pass up. I said I would buy it and John said, "I am so excited to hear how much you will enjoy your new turntable." I paid for the turntable and he said it will be ready by 1 o'clock the next day. You see folks, you don't just open the box and start playing. You need to actually put it together and if you don't do it right things could get messed up. Today I picked up my new turntable, hurried home and started to listen to my vinyl like they should have been listened to. Five stars for (1) not trying to over sell me, (2) being very knowledgeable, and (3) enthusiastic about your products. That goes a long way and you will be rewarded with a positive Yelp review. Zipzap Zubidy Bop! *UPDATE* Been playing this all day and it sounds great! John just called me asking if I was able to set it up and if I am happy with it. Really? This guy really cares about his customers and his business.That is how you run a business! read more

Great job on my turntable setup. He really knows his stuff and was able to do a smoking great setup while I waited. I got home and threw a record on was was blown away by the improvement. Tip notch. They also sell needles and components for great prices. 100% recommended read more

In 2009, after 40 years of buying audio equipment, I ran across John and The Audio Connection when I was looking for a particular brand of amplifier. I ended up buying a few items from him at the time, and never had a more pleasant Hi-Fi purchasing experience. Since then, every audio purchase I've made, with one exception, has been from his shop. I didn't plan it that way, but he always seems to have just the item to fill my upgrade needs. I do a lot of research, and am pretty selective, so it says a lot about the product lines he carries. And I'm not talking about expensive gear, he carries a number of high value brands. In addition, I've found prices here are competitive with even online stores. Over the years I've developed a few friendships in the hobby, and John seems like another friend that you can have an audio conversation with, and who will let you listen to his stuff, or even borrow it to take home for a listen, and then buy it at a fair price if you want to keep it. A few days after I bought that first amp from him he loaned me a set of speakers for a few days to try it out, with nothing more than a promise to return them. Another time he loaned me an equipment rack for a few weeks while I waited for the one I had on order. I very recently sent my sister down to see him to get her first ever decent audio components, and to access to the experience of quality audio reproduction. I think she's in good hands. read more

This guy is awesome!!! He's the one to know, you know? Just bought a new turntable setup. I asked a million questions and find John to be super knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. He set up my new record player using his years of experience, was so attentive to detail and worked on it for a long time to get it just right. Had tips and tricks I never could have found online. No substitute for a qualified human in this realm! So, so glad I got in touch with him. No regrets! read more

This place is great! I came upon it while looking for a place to buy Nitty Gritty cleaning fluid, and the proprietor asked me who had set up my turntable/cartridge. I had done it myself, which I mentioned, and I thought I had done a pretty solid job. He offered me a great deal to have him take a look at the alignment, since I was experiencing some sibilance on certain records, so I went ahead an brought it in. Turns out that I was way off on a lot of little things, which he fixed while I waited (and asked questions here and there). When I brought it home and plugged it in, I was blown away by the difference his truly professional set-up had made. Bottom line: go to this place if you ever need your turntable set up (or need fluid for your Nitty Gritty). read more

I was introduced to John at Audio Connection by a close friend in 1998. At that time I had spent countless hours auditioning audiophile gear and learning what I liked and didn't like. I visited nearly every store in the Seattle area and spent tons of time listening. I also visited John a few times. After he put together a modest system (3k) for me (Ruark Talisman II, Rega Planet, and Cary SLI-30 integrated tube amp), I bought it on the spot. I had listened to everything up to 200k systems (insane, I know), and this humble setup grabbed me emotionally and still does today. Over the years I've had John update my little integrated amp, and remarkably, to this day, he still remembers me and what I like to hear in my music! Great local experience by a no nonsense guy who knows his gear, helps you find what your ears enjoy at a reasonable budget. I'm about to upgrade my gear, and before I do, I'm definitely going to see John and tell him what I've been listening to and let him recommend the next step. In the unlikely event I can get a more involving emotional experience with my music, it'll likely be by auditioning something at Audio Connection. read more

I'm usually pretty good at keeping up with quality small businesses, but I stumbled into Audio Connection by accident. I was ambling around the U-Dist when my (admittedly cheap) ear buds died. I was dismayed, as I figured I would have to postpone the thousandth listen of a popular yet embarrassing song til tomorrow. A herd of schoolchildren began to push past me and I panicked, running into the first door I opened, and found myself in a small, interesting foyer slash workshop area. I inquired about ear buds and before I could utter the word 'gigahertz', was testing out quite a few options. I chose some really fine in-ear buds encased in wood, which were great until I realized they were hurting my ears. John returned them for me without a hassle, which was much appreciated. I was also treated to a tour of the facilities, which boasts a listening room that feels very homey. I love finding places like these. Maybe I'll get distracted and find myself in a blacksmith shop next? read more

This is a shop with integrity. I called the owner to inquire about a popping noise in my tube amp, suggesting I should bring it in. The owner patiently instructed me to test the tubes first, by swapping them (two at a time) between channels one and two, to see if the popping sounds followed the tubes. They did, I replaced one bad tube, and saved the cost and trouble of hauling the amp to The Audio Connection. The owner, of course, lost money. But he was delighted to help me. This shop deserves your business and mine. read more

Summary - John is the Yoda of turntables. He is both passionate and deeply knowledgable about the world of turntable and hi-fi technology. He has a solid supply of turntables, both new and used, and would prefer selling you the 'right' turntable for you, then selling you the newest hotness. The Audio Connection is not your typical big-box retailer. Johns store appears humble when you first walk in, but don't be fooled. He has plenty of inventory and a comfortable show room. I had intended on purchasing a Rega Planar 1, and John provided me a broad education on the history of the Planar 1 and the Rega RP1. He was generous with his knowledge and let me know that he had a used RP1 (which he thinks is better than the Planar 1 for a variety of reasons). He then suggested I also look at the Project Debut Carbon and in the end, I ended up with a Debut Carbon Espirit SB. When I declared my intention to purchase the Espirit, he said "I don't let the turntables leave until I set them up. That way you have it working properly." He spent the next hour doing meticulous setup and configuration, and likely used a little bit of The Force to make my turntable as perfect as it could be. He explained to me all the little nuances of owning a turntable and while the Espirit is such a good choice. Buying a turntable is certainly a personal choice and if you are looking for the 'right' one, or you are someone who takes pride in their hi-fi system, or you are a true audiophile, I recommend The Audio Connection and working with John. He takes his time and knows hi-fi. Like other reviews, the secret to The Audio Connection is John and his encyclopedic knowledge of vinyl, turntables and hi-fi. If you go to his store, carve out some time. In fact, give him a call and let him know you're coming down to talk with him. You'll be glad you worked with him. I'll be back! read more

If you want expert advice, fair pricing and cartridge installation, this is THE PLACE . John offers great customer service, and top notch h new and used products . He takes the time to do things right . His 40 years experience is priceless . Yes it's a quirky little shop but it fits his style and informal approach. read more

John has a great store. He knows everything (and knows he knows it) about higher end audio equipment and has great stuff and great deals. I got a great deal on a older Acoustic Research turntable that sounds perfect and I couldn't be happier with. If you need some sweet sounding speakers, or want to get into vinyl, or want some glowing tube sound, go see him. read more

First of all, let me preface this review by saying that I have been a customer of The Audio Connection for the past 20 years and have become friends with John Zimmerman, the owner, over time. In this day and age of chain stores and impersonal service, John's store is a welcome anachronism. This is the store to go to for 2-channel sound (although he does carry a couple surround sound receivers now). And he's one of the few stores with expertise in turntables and tube components. For those who don't know, tube equipment sounds more musical than solid-state and is actually MORE reliable. He even has his own in-house curmudgeony service technician. From the outside, it looks like a little hole in the wall. But when you walk into his listening room, you instantly feel at home. John has a refreshingly low-key approach to selling. He finds out what the customer is looking for, sets up a system, and JUST lets them listen rather than talking a bunch of sales hype. He'd rather let his customers decide for themselves than telling them what they should be hearing. That would explain why most of his new customers hear about him through referral. His lines of products represent the best deal for the money whether you're buying an entry-level, mid-end, or high-end stereo. It's a shame that most people have no idea how good a stereo can sound and just rely on slick sales people and heavily marketed brands. The companies John represents manufacture reliable products and have been in business for years. His top-of-the-line speakers are Chapmans. They retail for $7500 a pair and smoke speakers costing 3-4 times more! And on the other end of the spectrum, John can put together an entry-level system for $2K that sounds surprisingly musical. Do yourself a favor and audition a stereo at The Audio Connection before buying one from a big name stores. I can almost guarantee you'll end up buying your stereo from John. You'll have an excellent customer experience and will be taking your friends there after they ask where you bought such a good sounding system. read more

5 Stars doesn't do it Justice! I've been dealing with John for the last 25 years. John has never steered me wrong on any problem I have had with my stereo system. The components I have bought from him have been very high quality and will probably last a lifetime. Your one stop shop for stereo and mono audio components. read more

I doubt John remembers me but I bought a fair amount of audio equipment from him when I lived in Seattle in the 90s. I still have all the components (Cary 300B amp and SLP-70 preamp, Creek CD 60, Chapman T7 speakers, and Pro-Ject 1.2 turntable). The system sounds amazing especially after upgrading the tubes. John was so helpful and I always enjoyed going to his store. The next time I'm in Seattle, I will stop in. read more

I stopped in to Audio Connection a few weeks ago to see if an old turntable was worth repairing (it wasn't) and ended up buying an ideal replacement thanks to the knowledge and patience of the manager, John. We walked through all the options and features, and when I found a suitable selection at a good price from their extensive inventory, they set it up and calibrated it for me. I got it home, it worked great, and a few hours later, John called to make sure everything was ok. This was not only by far the best service I've ever received in any stereo shop (been an audiophile for 30 years!), it was some of the best service I've received anywhere. If you are looking for turntables, amps or other equipment, give this place a look. It is one of the great small businesses in Seattle and deserves your support. read more

Disclaimer: I am not a aficionado audiophile but I love to sit in the evenings after a long stressful day of work and listen to my music: jazz, vocals, classical and old rock. The first time I ever ventured into Audio Connection was about 2004 when I needed to replace my 15 year old NAD receiver that had gone bad. Audio Connection's show room is more like a home living room in a 1910 house. John let me listened to several used receivers and CD players with my own CDs. Audio Connection was not my first place to stop that weekend. I had gone to Magnolia Hi-Fi, Definitive Audio and a few other places in Seattle and Eastside. I am not dressed like a big spender and at those other places the sales people were not interested in helping me. But John was very helpful and talked about my listening preference and type of room where the equipment would be in. After about 4 hours I walked out with a Jolida 502B for my Christmas present. Today it was time to add sounds to my small home office and I needed a new pair of speakers. John spent a couple of hours with me on speakers (brought my Jolida to the show room). Bought a pair of used Vandersteen for the living room and will move the Tyler reference to my office. Another great Christmas present that fits well with the Jolida tube amp. Am sitting here listening to Santana and it feels like I am sitting in front of the band...I can hear each instrument with very nice mids and acceptable bass. I will keep going back to Audio Connection because of the expertise John has on his equipment and no pressure sales style. And Bill is awesome to watch and speak with as he fixes equipment. Good sense of humor to listen to those two banter. My next visit will be to upgrade on the Jolida tubes for my birthday in a couple of months. Then perhaps a Rega Apollo CD player to replace my Sony SACD player for next Christmas. I highly recommend Audio Connection and John Zimmerman for your listening pleasures. read more

Both my husband and I have had fantastic experiences here. John loves his work in a way that I've rarely seen. He is incredibly knowledgable and helpful in guiding you to create the set up you want in your budget. read more

Audio Connection which is owned by John Zimmerman and has never disappointed me yet . I have two tube power amps which were bought from his store in 1993 and they have intermittently come in for service over the years and he has never failed to fix them . Not many places would still stand behind products after 23 years have passed . read more

I called Audio connection because I needed help, and thought they would not be able to help me, but maybe could lead me into the right direction. I read the reviews on Yelp and they all were fantastic about customer service and I agree. I spoke with John on the phone and asked if Audio Connection would do music system installs for a commercial property (yoga studio). He listened to my concerns and said right away that he could not help, but could recommend someone. He provided a recommendation and a great description of the person he recommended me to. I appreciate the customer service and support for someone who was not even a customer. Cheers to you John! read more

I went to this place a few times and each time was very educational. John the owner was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions. If you are a serious audiophile, you wanna check his store out. read more

Long overdue review for this fantastic shop and John the proprietor. Seattle is blessed with more HiFi shops per capita than probably any other city in America, and I've been to them all. While there are shops that are bigger and with a wider range of products on the floor, none of them have John. He is the secret to maximizing your enjoyment per dollar invested. I listened to so many different systems at Hawthorne and Definitive, with mixed results (and mixed potential investment cost), but it wasn't until I met John that I found exactly what I was looking for. He asked me a few questions about what I wanted and the first setup he auditioned for me was the one I purchased and am still delighted with today (2 years later). If you're looking to take the leap into true audiphilia, then John is the perfect guide/sherpa/spiritual adviser. It's incredibly valuable to have someone that will listen to what you are looking for, but also have a point of view on what is good and what isn't a great deal. Unless you are able to listen the thousands of combinations of amps, speakers, cables, sources, etc plus account for room acoustic variations your odds of finding something that hits your bulls-eye is low. I look forward to my next investment in audio (likely one of Rega's higher end turntables) and I'll be buying it from John despite no longer living in Seattle. I've even called a few times already and picked his brain on tables and cartridges. Hey, the buying process IS half the fun, even if John makes it more efficient. Also should note that he sells some used/trade-ins and his pricing is way better than Hawthorne's super jacked up used room prices. FYI purchased a Cary tube amp and Monitor towers. read more

I can't say enough about John and the Audio Connection. I purchased a full audio system from him three years ago (and love it). I then came back years later while trying to hook a new TV up to the system; John was the only person in town who had the knowledge to help me, and he did so with a smile. He's patient, kind, knowledgable, and makes darn sure his customers are getting exactly what they need and want. I'm grateful to have this shop in town, and John is an incredible resource. read more

I have great affection for this store. It is old fashioned in a good way. I'm a music teacher and musician, and have bought from John for decades as funds permitted. A couple of years ago I got a Cronus Magnum 2 integrated amplifier and new old stock tubes, to go with Rega Saturn R CD/Dac, Rega P3 turntable, Rega Radio, and KEF 104/2 speakers. This system really sounds like live music; it's like the musicians are in the room with you. And when I didn't have that kind of money, he still sold me stuff that sounds good for the money spent. This is a very good place that will give real value . read more