Welcome to Stereonow
Here's a 'test' to see if I might be the appropriate specialist for you.
My customers are usually male, usually over 40 years of age and as a consequence of one too many uncomfortable experiences with other retailers, now take the view that this is probably their last chance to get it 'right'. They're not quite sure what 'right' actually is - but they are pretty certain they haven't reached it yet.
In short, they've had enough of choosing down to a price, and now they want to choose up to a standard. Ah yes, and they think that Stereonow can offer them what they are looking for.
Is this you perhaps?
Still not sure? Okay – maybe this will strike a chord with you – or perhaps not
My view, and it's been reinforced as I've got older is that time isn't sand – it’s gold dust. It's the most valuable commodity any of us have and it's just too precious to waste! Please let me explain..
Are you an experienced music lover?
Are you a supportive partner?
Are you a loving parent?
Are you a conscientious son or daughter?
Or are you all of the above?
Then time will be more precious to you than gold. And time for you will be practically non-existent.
Tricky, when you want to make a substantial and gratifying investment in your home music system.
Perhaps I can help. Stereonow is home to what some say is the best one-stop collection of sophisticated audio equipment in the UK. Home cinema has no place here.
The point is, it’s a collection that’s pre-edited and covers everything from wonderful 2-channel systems designed for the smaller living room up to uncannily credible 2-channel reproduction of voice and music at realistic levels in dedicated music rooms.
This describes my objectives on behalf of visitors here. Are we right for each other? If not, I'd like to thank you for taking the path this far. If you think we might be though, then please explore as much of this site as you feel comfortable with.
Thank you
Howard Popeck
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Only 1 loudspeaker maker, two digital source suppliers, one vinyl supplier. Err, what going on?
When I was running simply-STAX, one of the reasons I became so successful so fast was that I had gathered unrivalled in-depth knowledge on just one brand. STAX. Frankly at my age, I just don't have the mental horsepower to become really in-depth on say 12 loudspeakers lines, 7 turntables, 104 amplifier makes, and so on. Just can't do it.
So, I've decided to become a true master of a few. Customers seem to really appreciate that. Or rather, MY customers seem to appreciate that.
So your customers' aren't exactly spoiled for choice, right?
If you look beyond the superficial, you'll see that this isn't the case at all. Let's take for example the loudspeaker situation here.
I have on demonstration at least 3 of the current Harbeth line. More than any other UK Harbeth retailer. When the back-order situation softens a bit I'll probably have the entire range – but let's stick to 3 for now. The mid and top-end is pretty constant across the range, but the ultimate sound pressure level, bass extension and bass tautness ('Q' it's known as in the trade) is a variable. Why, and so what?
As to why, well Harbeth know more about the practical realities of cabinet/room interface than I'll ever know. But patiently, I'm learning. This means that the bass response of the Harbeth (BBC, really) 'sound' in a domestic environment – rather than a lab – is a function of the various models with their varying bass extensions and varying Q. Thus, there is a suite of sounds. from just 3 of the range.
In contrast, many other makers seem on the face of it, and in reality too, to help the buyer take the view that spending more, for bigger, will automatically produce an improved sound. By which they mean a louder sound. This – either through ignorance or unethically deliberately confusing of quality with quantity is not helpful. Not all makers are like this, but quite a few are.
You can test this for yourself by actually trying to figure out (a) what precisely you are getting for the additional expenditure AND (b) will that 'improvement' actually take place in your room, with your music, at your preferred listening level – with your equipment.
Okay, okay but – surely you aren't claiming that Harbeth are one size fits all; perfect if you like?
Of course not. Harbeth don't claim this and neither do I. Frankly, some people don't like the Harbeth 'sound'. Strange, but true. Maybe it isn't as 'spectacular' as they'd like. For spectacular, read 'coloured'. It happens. But, and it's a big but, for those that crave a credible sound, by which I mean a believable sound, it's impossible not to be impressed.
So, not too clever on Rock or Jazz then?
No. Incorrect. If by this you mean they don't go loud enough, or deep enough, well – there is a very elegant solution. It's the Eclipse sub-woofer. It's blisteringly fast, powerful and a sonic miracle with the Harbeths. Having said this, it is rarely necessary to have to use the Eclipse. That's because every Harbeth produces a quality of bass that rarely fails to astonish.
So, 3 Harbeth loudspeakers plus 1 very sophisticated sub-woofer = 6 different sonic options. So far, so good.
And ...?
Okay, I stock 2 amplifier solutions. Those from LFD (both integrated and pre/power) and Musical Fidelity. Integrateds and pre/powers too. So, say 5 items there. Both MF and LFD produce wonderful sounds, but different sounds. So now we are up to 5 amplifiers x the previous 6 loudspeaker options = 30 different sound options.
I stock one serious CD player from both MF and North Star (LFD no longer build digital replay machines) so now we are up 2 x 30 = 60 different sound options.
Add in my knowledge of the appropriate signal interconnects, the optimum loudspeaker cables and power cords to produce subtle but effective variations on the above 60 alternatives and I can easily produce over 100 viable demonstrable options. Surely that's enough?
But no one has the time!
True. Very true. So here's how it works. First, I strip away the combinations which although very good aren't actually truly great. And then I organise the remainder into a series of best-in-price-band options. 4 in all. By best I mean that in a price band, a combination that works, both well and consistently and represents the best value I can offer. And most importantly, has a pedigree of success based on observations of people who've bought the identical combination.
So, I have a best-in-price band system for up to £2.5k, £4k, £6.6k and £9.1K.
4 complete systems, each of which in isolation produces a magical, wonderful and credible sound. Each of the top 3 is noticeable superior to the preceding one. No point otherwise.
All very calm and uncomplicated.
Is that it?
No. Not at all. I and the customer work together on (a) either the system they have bought or (b) the relationship between the component they've bought from me and the rest of their 'old' system – to ensure that they are achieving a worthwhile return on their investment– however small that investment was.
If fine tuning is required, such as alternative power cords, or interconnects and/or speaker cables, then as part of the service, these are provided by me on a loan service. I don't see customers as 'walking wallets'. Never.
Sounds perfect...
Does, doesn't it?
But it isn't!
Never will be – because those of us who care about these sort of things (customers, makers and specialists like me) are doomed to forever chase a moving target. And that target is an attempt to achieve an optimum sound, with all forms of music, at all sound levels – in the customer's home and at a price they're truly comfortable with.
Frustrating!
Only in a way. So long as I'm delivering what a customer wants, the total experience if you like, as good as or even better than anyone else in the field, then that's pretty good. I can sleep happy.