EMBER Audio + Design — Local services in Winston-Salem

Ember is the best dealer I’ve ever encountered, for a multitude of reasons. And I’ve auditioned gear in Miami, Seattle, NY/NJ, Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, Vancouver, BC, etc.

Those near Ember are fortunate to have Chris and his showroom nearby. Call or go there and you will find an unassuming, talented audio and design professional operating his shop to a world-class standard of excellence. You will find him remarkably available, an excellent communicator, endlessly patient and willing to share his deep understanding of audio principles and system building. Also, you will not find a more consistently cheerful person who seems to genuinely enjoy dealing with the public (aka, customers).

Please do not misconstrue my high praise to imply that those new to the hobby need not apply. You will not find a more down-to earth, welcoming audio shop.

If you expect sales pressure or to be up-sold, you will be disappointed. Ha ha. If excellent sound quality can be achieved by spending less than you think, Chris will be the first to tell you how.

If you don’t live nearby, call. I did. Chris evaluated where I was in audio and where I wanted to go. My first purchase from him came within four months and is still perhaps THE best gear purchase ever. He nailed it. A year later, I auditioned 3 pairs of loudspeakers in his shop.

The in-shop demo was the most effective I’d ever had. No time constraints and great cappuccino. I came back the next day to hear the ones I liked best, again. Still no sales pressure. I did purchase them six...

I have long been a hifi fan and as with many, keeping up with the technology has been a real challenge. I wanted to rebuild my audio system and thought migrating from Home Theater back to 2 channel would be easy but with advances in technology and evolution of the business, I was quickly overwhelmed and made some questionable decisions on my own. Some of those brands that I once considered top notch and state of the art are not so much now. I quickly learned that I cannot rely on what I used to know what I thought I knew.

Enter Chris.... I told him what I had, what I wanted, what I liked and what I did not like and he took it from there. He understood what I had tried to do on my own and got me back on track. '

The shop is set beautifully with a wide range of equipment designed for a wide range of listener "types." There is nothing in the store that does not impress! He was mindful of my personal parameters and after significant auditioning, thorough process of elimination, and just some dumb luck with product availability we landed with exactly what I was looking for and I picked up some new music along the way!!

I doubt there anyone locally that could have done this any better and I talked with quite a few people and listened to a lot of equipment. ...

Ember Audio + Design is so much more than a high-end audio store. It is engaging and unusual too, with the wall of chairs affixed to its interior, reaching to the ceiling, being a particularly impressive aspect that you just have to visit to believe. So surreal, unusual and creative, but relaxing at the same time.

I was having issue with my Technics SL-1200 turntable needle and knew that this was going to be the place to have it fixed. I have known the owners of the store since my years as Pop Music Quiz presenter at local venue The Garage, when the owners would support us religiously.

I sat and kicked back, relaxed on a roomy and plush sofa, watching the owner work on the stylus as though performing heart surgery. His attention to its every detail was admirable and I knew that I was in the right place.

I can't give enough props to this store and its staff, its ambience, its light, its space, and more besides. You too will be in good hands at Ember Audio + Design. Go see for yourself. It really is an impressive place.

Thanks to the girls and guys of the staff. It was a smashing...