Music Direct — Local services in Lake View Township

For the first half of 2022, I was able to put together my dream stereo system. Like other industries, there were significant supply chain issues in audio, so I had to work with multiple vendors, including Magnolia and Listen Up (ughhh... we won't go there).

I had the amazing fortune of working with Jon Schulman, who helped me SIGNIFICANTLY... not only in obtaining some key components of the system, but in helping design its architecture.

Music Direct / Jon helped in particular with the VPI Signature turntable, Shunyata Everest power conditioner + power cables, and Audioquest signal cables and speaker cables, and a few other things. The amazing thing is that MD has the capability to deal with esoteric audio like they do, but still do volume business at great prices.

The system ended up as:

McIntosh MX123 A/V PROCESSOR McIntosh C12000 Preamp Dual McIntosh MC611 Amps McIntosh MC255 Amp iFi - Pro iDSD Signature DAC NAD M50.2 Media Player B&W 801 D4 B&W HTM81 D4 center B&W 805 D4 rears REL Carbon Special Subwoofer REL Airship 5.8 gHz VPI - Signature 21 Turntable (Black) SONY XR83A90J OLED 4K HDR TV Shunyata Everest 8000...

this review is for the physical store, I'm sure the online service is great.

The B&M store is an understandable compromise. It's a warehouse that sets up a listening room in the back and room full of vinyl. great selection, and the whole catalogue of Mo-Fi masters.

so why 3 stars? because I think most everyone there hate people. You have to enter in through the office where no one acknowledes you no matter how confused you look, nor how long you stand there, Then when pointed to the warehouse door, more employees walk past you disinterested. Then when a sales guy came into the demo room (I was there to hear a particular pair of speakers), he acted like he was missing the finally of the bachelor and gave me very little consideration. It was to the point where I felt bad for asking for his help.

anyway, the vinyl room was great, and I think that if you go into it knowing that you will be talking to a bunch of seemingly disgruntled hipster millennials and other warehouse hermits, you won't be as disappointed as I was. Long story short, I ended up buying the speakers from a different dealer because of...

I have worked with Brian Lickel for the past few years and Music Direct for several years. In that time, Brian has provided me with superb advice and service for multiple purchases ranging from a high-end Mark Levinson integrated amp, Revel speakers, a Shunyata power distributor, a Hana phono cartridge, various cables, headphones and other accessories. Based on my experience, he has been honest, not pushy at all and has given me advice that has worked out great. He tells me when an item performs as well as more expensive alternatives and what works well with other components. In the few instances that I wasn't satisfied with a piece of equipment, Music Direct took it back with no hassles. Finally, I have made some great buys from Music Direct, particularly with their sales and open box specials. While I still buy from a few trusted local hi fi retailers, I also put Music Direct right up there as a go to hi fi store which I trust, get great service and great buys. I enthusiastically recommend Brian Lickel and...