Rochester has a number of resources for Home Theater and Audiophiles. It is uncertain how it has got that way (Eastman School influence?), but compared to many cities of similar size, Rochester is blessed with several high shops, where most similarly sized cities would be fortunate to have just one. Audiophile equipment is expensive, but fans believe it is worth the expense and many feel that quality sound reproduction has to be heard to be believed.
If you are doing your homework and are not ready to buy, let the shop know and the time frame in which you are going to buy something or what your plans may be. If the shop is busy, you can always schedule an appointment when it is less busy - since the nature of this process is very customer service intensive, they may not be able to give you as good a service without an appointment sometimes (though most of these shops will try).
If you are on a budget, be up front about it with the people at the shop (if you don't feel comfortable with a number, you can give a range or a "no more than $X"), as most of these places (unlike mass market) build their businesses on long term repeat business, and a shop that did poor service routinely would quickly be out of business. Many of these stores have discounted used and demo equipment available for those on a budget, usually a customer needs to ask.
If you aren't ready to make the plunge, getting good recordings will make even a modest, existing, setup sound much better.
Local Audiophile Equipment Dealers
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The Analog Shop - Located in Victor, specialized in high end audio, new and used high end gear. One of the few shops these days that accepts trade-in of older audiophile gear.
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Audio Renaissance - Located in Rochester, specializes in new and used turntables.
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East End Audio - Shop specializing in technical services to musicians, sound engineers, churches and theatres. Repairs and restores vintage equipment.
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Goldcrest Electronics - Located in Rochester, a local source for cables and stuff.
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NeedleDrop Records - Turntables, replacement needles, record cleaners mostly. The majority of the inventory is vinyl records.
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Rowe Photo - Located in Rochester, Specializes in purpose build home theaters.
Local Fine Record Shops
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The Bop Shop - Known for vinyl and jazz CD's.
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House of Guitars - A lot of gems in a jumble of records and CD's
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NeedleDrop Records - Well curated selection of mostly punk & alternative LP's ... small collection of audiophile gear, too.
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Record Archive - Enormous selection of used vinyl, quality of them is variable - be sure to check for scuffs and scratches.
See Also
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Record Stores - Lots of Rochester area resources
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Vinyl Records - A list of stores that still sell vinyl.
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