Excel Audio — Local services in Newport Beach

What a great addition to our community! Mike Rose is an extremely knowledgeable, down-to-earth guy. He has the greatest collection of audio toys I've ever seen outside a full blown audio show. I have never heard music reproduced so beautifully . He has a collection of the best audio gear at various price levels, from modest to the best there is in the world. From all the audio equipment out there he has picked a collection of the best gear which play well together.

I was curious what Luxman components sound like. Now I know. If I need another amplifier, I know what it'll be. I wanted to know what the best speakers sound like. WOW! Now i know. I was shocked at how great the Harbeth collection sounded, stunned at the purity and power of the D'Agostino amps and preamps. He has Wilson speakers from the Sabrina Xs, to the Chronosonic XVX.s.

Mike Rose is understated. If he says, "sounds pretty good," in anyone else's book that would mean, "crazy good."

The best and recommended equipment you read about in The Absolute Sound and Stereophile ... It's all right there.

Mike Rose took the time to visit me and listen to my system. Every component he recommended made a wonderful improvement to the sound quality of an already very good system. He carries the very best audiophile vinyl. He has some of the most exquisite cartridges in the world. He played a Koetsu for me. It's mine now. He is my audio guru. Highest possible...

I am pretty familiar with record/audio stores being that I travel a bit for work and always make it a point to visit all shops in the towns I visit. I started visiting this shop a while back and felt right away from the owner that he did not NEED to be there. He WANTS to be there. His selection of high-end gear is something that most could be intimidated by. I thought I knew a thing or two, until I walked in here. Geez. Do yourself a favor and visit this place. Truth be told I have not purchased any gear from him as of today…but in the future I will be buying from him. Now, regarding the records. I almost do not want to say this because I feel like I have a little unknown gem in So Cal, but if you like high end albums of all genre’s…I’m talking the cleanest of the cleanest records you have ever heard, go here. When all is said and done, they cost a bit of coin…but they are SO WORTH THE MONEY. I just finished listening to some crazy acoustic recording of Neil Young Live at Massey Hall in ’71, and it was whisper quiet on my system. I can’t help but wonder what it would sound like on one of his heavy hitter systems. Some day. All-in-all this is one heck of a shop. It has made me start thinking of other possibilities in hi—fi sound, and how profound and significant having music in my life is. Bravo Excel Audio, you have me as a...

I walked into Excel Audio nearly nine years ago with a simple question about a tonearm—and walked out with something much bigger: a place I trust with every hard-earned dollar I spend on audio gear.

Since then, I’ve picked up multiple speakers, amps, turntables, subs, and a ridiculous amount of vinyl. And let me tell you—there’s no one I trust more than Mike Rose when it comes to building the perfect setup. The guy knows high-end audio, jazz, rock—you name it—better than anyone I’ve met. But it’s more than just knowledge. He actually listens—not just to the gear, but to what you want out of your system. No sales pressure. No gimmicks. Just straight-up passion and expertise.

I moved out of state a few years ago, but every time I’m back in town, I make it a point to stop by—whether it’s to pick up an album (or a few) or to grab more gear that he can drop-ship to me wherever I am. My latest visit reminded me of something important—it was long overdue to leave this review.

If you care about killer sound and honest advice—do yourself a favor and visit Excel Audio. You won’t find a better place or a better guy...