Q u o t e s & T E S T I M O N I A L S
Quotes from the Press & Audio Professionals
"True pros with amazing dedication and talent. We couldn't have done it without you."
Deborah Hood, Producer for PBS TV program "This Old House"
"New England's premier high-end audio dealer." Boston Herald "Trustworthy, knowledgeable, and helpful ... the best operation in town." Listener Magazine
"The best sounding room of any retailer." Peter McGrath, Wilson "Best sound I've heard." Paul Rosenberg, MartinLogan
"As far as I’m concerned, this facility is the place to audition high-end audio gear." Jeff Fritz, Managing Editor, Soundstage/Ultra Audio "Goodwin's High End in Waltham, Mass., one of the nation's foremost retailers of high-end audio gear." Forbes Magazine
"New England's premier high-end audio dealer." Boston Herald "Trustworthy, knowledgeable, and helpful ... the best operation in town." Listener Magazine
"The best sounding room of any retailer." Peter McGrath, Wilson "Best sound I've heard." Paul Rosenberg, MartinLogan
"As far as I’m concerned, this facility is the place to audition high-end audio gear." Jeff Fritz, Managing Editor, Soundstage/Ultra Audio "Goodwin's High End in Waltham, Mass., one of the nation's foremost retailers of high-end audio gear." Forbes Magazine
Quotes from Clients on Visiting the Store
"I'd like to thank you again for your hospitality today. The experience you gave me was undoubtedly the best I've ever had an audio dealer, and honestly one of the best experiences ever. I really appreciate how you took the time to talk to me and I enjoyed every minute of my visit. "
"On Saturday my wife and I travelled from upstate NY to your show room to purchase a set of (affordable) speakers. The way you handled the sale and your knowledge, courtesy and helpfulness were very much appreciated. I realize that you have many upscale clients, and never once were we made to feel out of place. You spent a lot of time with us and made sure we had a chance to check out your facility and demo some of your high-end gear. Far too often people go out of their way to critique services when they're sub-par, and don't bother to comment when the experience is exceptional. You definitely made ours the latter."
Quotes from Clients after getting their System
"Alan… last night was the best! I wish you were here to experience it. A friend of a friend came over. I’ve mentioned him to you before. I think his approach to system design is to walk into his guy’s shop and say 'what’s the most expensive thing you have'. I also think he’s about $1mm into his audio system… no video and no room acoustics."
"His speakers are W***** which I tend to find overbearing."
"I was hoping he’d appreciate what we’ve done… and boy did he! Here are just a few of the MANY quotes…" "This is....amazing" "Your system is incredible. It is the best thing I have ever heard." "These speakers have no voice of their own… all I hear is the music." "The soundstage is incredible" "They sound great at all volumes, I really have to pressurize mine for them to sound good. You can play these at exactly the right volume for whatever you’re listening to." "There is no fatigue… I could listen all night long… it begs to be played till 5am" "The violin and piano soloists were in the room" "It’s seamless and natural" "I’m so pissed… my system isn’t even in the same league as this one" "I’m going to fly my guy here to listen to your system and ask why mine doesn’t sound close to this."
And on and on… it was awesome! Thank you!!
"His speakers are W***** which I tend to find overbearing."
"I was hoping he’d appreciate what we’ve done… and boy did he! Here are just a few of the MANY quotes…" "This is....amazing" "Your system is incredible. It is the best thing I have ever heard." "These speakers have no voice of their own… all I hear is the music." "The soundstage is incredible" "They sound great at all volumes, I really have to pressurize mine for them to sound good. You can play these at exactly the right volume for whatever you’re listening to." "There is no fatigue… I could listen all night long… it begs to be played till 5am" "The violin and piano soloists were in the room" "It’s seamless and natural" "I’m so pissed… my system isn’t even in the same league as this one" "I’m going to fly my guy here to listen to your system and ask why mine doesn’t sound close to this."
And on and on… it was awesome! Thank you!!
Quotes from the first half dozen or so folks that got to hear the new system….
As Dylan said… “every one of those words rang true.”
Thank you… lots of blood sweat and tears are behind this sound.
- “mind blowing”
- “wow”
- “amazing”
- “we’re sitting in the front row”
- “better than live”
- “chills”
- “perfect"
As Dylan said… “every one of those words rang true.”
Thank you… lots of blood sweat and tears are behind this sound.
Another guy was just here. His dad is an audiophile. He just kept saying “holy cow, holy cow”. At one point, he just started laughing (at the reality of it). Several people have had that reaction, including me. It’s my favorite one of all.
I had a friend in town this weekend. Big music buff (3000 LPs). But no quality system.
First, she cried. Then she said “Alan is a genius”.
First, she cried. Then she said “Alan is a genius”.
Quotes from Clients after Acoustical Room Treatment
Comments on a room in California:
"Alan was (is) the most meticulous and detail-oriented individual I have ever worked with on any project. I met Alan completely by accident while accompanying my wife to her Dana Hall prep-school reunion in Waltham. With an afternoon to kill, and looking for a way to spend my time, I was intrigued to find a "hi-end" audio establishment in such an unlikely community.
From the moment we met, Alan was extremely gracious and low-key, yet his commitment to sonic excellence was obvious and palpable. As icing on the cake, the sound in his listening room so far surpassed anything I had ever heard that I told him that very afternoon "Some day I'm going to have you build me a room."
Fast forwarding to late 2003, I had recently met and befriended Alon Wolf at the time when the concept for the Magico Ultimates was conceived. They were too crazy to pass up and an audiofool buddy and I commissioned the first two pair. Clearly needing a listening environment that could do justice to the horn-monsters, I re-connected with Alan and a plan for a room project was initiated.
The design and planning process was extremely detailed and time-consuming, but 2 years later the installation was completed flawlessly.
I have now had 13 years to enjoy my listening room and not a day goes by that I don't consciously feel a wave of gratitude for having the immense privilege (and understanding wife!) that allows me to experience my love of music in a way that, until I met Alan, would have been beyond my wildest dreams.
Needless to say, I am one very lucky guy."
From the moment we met, Alan was extremely gracious and low-key, yet his commitment to sonic excellence was obvious and palpable. As icing on the cake, the sound in his listening room so far surpassed anything I had ever heard that I told him that very afternoon "Some day I'm going to have you build me a room."
Fast forwarding to late 2003, I had recently met and befriended Alon Wolf at the time when the concept for the Magico Ultimates was conceived. They were too crazy to pass up and an audiofool buddy and I commissioned the first two pair. Clearly needing a listening environment that could do justice to the horn-monsters, I re-connected with Alan and a plan for a room project was initiated.
The design and planning process was extremely detailed and time-consuming, but 2 years later the installation was completed flawlessly.
I have now had 13 years to enjoy my listening room and not a day goes by that I don't consciously feel a wave of gratitude for having the immense privilege (and understanding wife!) that allows me to experience my love of music in a way that, until I met Alan, would have been beyond my wildest dreams.
Needless to say, I am one very lucky guy."
Comments on a room in Long Island:
"You asked me to write you a bit of a testimonial about the room you helped me build on Long Island. I’m thrilled to be asked and to share my thoughts. But, I’ll never capture in words the awesomeness of that room! It was truly incredible.
Starting with the design, we had a “tall order”. Put it over my garage. Put it next to living areas in my house. Make it COMPLETELY soundproof. Give me windows to the outside. And so on. You checked every box!
Next… the “tweaking”. Once we got the room built and the system installed, you and I spent the better part of eight hours tweaking the room… moving traps and panels and furniture and speakers… an inch at a time! And, every change had a noticeable impact… some we liked, some we didn’t. While I thought we made a massive improvement, the proof was in the pudding. My (now ex) wife, decidedly NOT an audiophile, came in when we were done and listened. Then she asked “what did you buy? There is a huge improvement”! Perfect!
Of course, the ultimate test was in the listening. I had countless hours of enjoyment in that room. It was spectacular. Here are a few quotes/stories:
My brother, who’d had his eyes closed, sat bolt upright when I put on some blues and said “I thought the guy was in the room with us!”
A friend asked where I got the “special version” of the disc he had been listening to in his car… because it “clearly wasn’t the same recording”
A recording artist friend told me she heard things on her own CD that she’d have changed if she’d heard them in the studio
A musician friend came and played his horn along with Miles Davis. Those of us listening had a hard time distinguishing between the live and recorded instruments
Many a friend said “if I had a room like this, I’d never leave”
Given that the room was “sonically neutral”, I could recreate any environment. With the right source material, I could make the room sound like a living room with a solo musician, a recording studio, a jazz club, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, or anything in between.
Alan, as you know, I’m divorced and moved out of the house where “the room” was. It is the only thing about the house that I miss! I can’t wait to be in a place where I can recreate the magic that existed in that room.
Thanks for the effort and thanks for the memories. Here’s to the next chapter! Meanwhile, feel free to have your prospective customer call me at any time."
Alan, as you know, I’m divorced and moved out of the house where “the room” was. It is the only thing about the house that I miss! I can’t wait to be in a place where I can recreate the magic that existed in that room.
Thanks for the effort and thanks for the memories. Here’s to the next chapter! Meanwhile, feel free to have your prospective customer call me at any time."
Comments on a room in Rhode Island:
"I am thrilled with the acoustically treated room.
Music that I am totally familiar with feels fresh and new, almost like I had not heard it before. Every instrument, voice and frequency is there, in balance with the rest, and the imaging is amazing, especially the vocals. I close my eyes and see the vocalists standing right in front of me in the middle of the room.
As you know, I had all of the equipment I have now (except the DAC) at my house in Newton, and it never even sounded close to this. While the DAC makes a big difference, especially with the High Res music I have been purchasing of late, I am still listening to a lot of my old CD’s and LP’s, and the difference between Newton and this room is remarkable.
It is hard to describe in words - one must experience it - and when I show the room off to friends, many of whom would not consider themselves audiophiles, they, too, are blown away.
Best regards, and thanks again for convincing me to build this room."
Music that I am totally familiar with feels fresh and new, almost like I had not heard it before. Every instrument, voice and frequency is there, in balance with the rest, and the imaging is amazing, especially the vocals. I close my eyes and see the vocalists standing right in front of me in the middle of the room.
As you know, I had all of the equipment I have now (except the DAC) at my house in Newton, and it never even sounded close to this. While the DAC makes a big difference, especially with the High Res music I have been purchasing of late, I am still listening to a lot of my old CD’s and LP’s, and the difference between Newton and this room is remarkable.
It is hard to describe in words - one must experience it - and when I show the room off to friends, many of whom would not consider themselves audiophiles, they, too, are blown away.
Best regards, and thanks again for convincing me to build this room."
Comments on a room in Florida:
You’ll love this… told you I had a friend coming by tonight. He had no idea what I’ve done. Walked in and after thirty seconds, he said:
“It sounds so dense in here… so solid… what’s going on? Is it the construction of the building??” He wasn’t listening to the system… just the quality of his voice when speaking. I took him to an untreated bedroom and he said “oh my God, it’s unbelievable”. When we got to the studio… before we put music on, he said “I love this… I feel like I’m wearing noise cancelling headphones!”.
Perfect! hahahahaha
Perfect! hahahahaha
Comments on Upgrading a Component in an Existing System
Comments on upgrading a preamp:
from a Spectral DMC-30SV to a Spectral DMC-30SV Series 2
"Good afternoon.
I’ve been listening to the preamp – a little last night and more today.
The extra clarity it provides is striking. The bass is more powerful, vocals and instruments are clearer and more precise. On live recordings, it feels even more like you are in the jazz club. I usually start with recordings I’m very familiar, such as Miles’ Kind of Blue, Nnenna Freelon’s 2003 live performance, Acapella’s Spirituals album, and Eric Clapton’s Unplugged. Simply said, I hear things in each song that I didn’t hear before and it gives additional texture to the artists playing.
Needless to say, I don’t want to wait until March. I’d like to order one immediately. I assume, unlike the amps, you don’t have a second one in stock so you’ll have to reach out to Spectral. Let me know about timing and let me know if you have any questions. I checked my box and it and my current preamp are in excellent condition. Thanks."
I’ve been listening to the preamp – a little last night and more today.
The extra clarity it provides is striking. The bass is more powerful, vocals and instruments are clearer and more precise. On live recordings, it feels even more like you are in the jazz club. I usually start with recordings I’m very familiar, such as Miles’ Kind of Blue, Nnenna Freelon’s 2003 live performance, Acapella’s Spirituals album, and Eric Clapton’s Unplugged. Simply said, I hear things in each song that I didn’t hear before and it gives additional texture to the artists playing.
Needless to say, I don’t want to wait until March. I’d like to order one immediately. I assume, unlike the amps, you don’t have a second one in stock so you’ll have to reach out to Spectral. Let me know about timing and let me know if you have any questions. I checked my box and it and my current preamp are in excellent condition. Thanks."
Comments on upgrading a preamp:from a Spectral DMC-30SV to a Spectral DMC-30SV Series 2
Overall it’s a dramatic improvement, a great value for the price.There is a silkiness or lack of grain that I never knew I was missing. It’s definitely more musical and emotional.Previously I had some harsh high tones in the 2nd movement of Mahler’s 4th that are nearly gone now.All the sounds are clearer and crisper.The soundstage is deeper. The black between notes is blacker.The base is more defined and more present. Kettle drums sound like kettle drums and they are in the very back of the orchestra where they belong.The music is stronger and richer with more presence not unlike adding the MIT PMC to my system.I simply love it.If you can get your hands on one grasp tightly and don’t give it to your music loving friend.
Overall it’s a dramatic improvement, a great value for the price.There is a silkiness or lack of grain that I never knew I was missing. It’s definitely more musical and emotional.Previously I had some harsh high tones in the 2nd movement of Mahler’s 4th that are nearly gone now.All the sounds are clearer and crisper.The soundstage is deeper. The black between notes is blacker.The base is more defined and more present. Kettle drums sound like kettle drums and they are in the very back of the orchestra where they belong.The music is stronger and richer with more presence not unlike adding the MIT PMC to my system.I simply love it.If you can get your hands on one grasp tightly and don’t give it to your music loving friend.
Comments on upgrading the mono power amps:
from a Spectral DMA-400RS to a Spectral DMA-500SV
"The amps sound great, actually better than great. There are three or four recordings I know backwards and forwards (Kind of Blue, Ella live with Duke Ellington, etc) and I heard things that I had never heard before, specifically the background players. Also, the bass was at a different level of clarity, even at lower volume levels.
Bottom line, I think I’d like to take you up on the offer to trade my 400’s in for a pair of these."
Bottom line, I think I’d like to take you up on the offer to trade my 400’s in for a pair of these."
Comments on upgrading from Rowland preamp/amp to Spectral preamp/mono amps:
Spectral DMC-30SV and DMA-400RS
"Wow! All I can say is WOW!
Last night, I listened for several hours and couldn’t believe it, but I’d had a few drinks and wanted a reality check on re-listening today. Today, a friend and I did an A/B on the Rowland gear. At end of the Rowland part, he said, “You know, that’s pretty damn good”. I said I agree, but let’s see if it can be improved. After just a few songs of the Spectral gear, we were just laughing and amazed.
This Spectral / MIT gear is just spectacular. Especially with my Avalon ISIS speakers.
I knew about the Spectral speed, so was expecting an improvement in the precision on all percussive instruments. Guitars, pianos cymbals, drum kits, etc but this improvement is more than I’d expected. Especially Hugh Masekela - Stimela- Coal Train, and Tool - Pneuma. The wind instruments are much more precise, too. I hadn’t expected the additional nuance in the vocals that we’re hearing. Shelby Lynne, Eva Cassidy, k d lang, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Heather Paterson, Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Beatles, CSN, Peter Cincotti, Steve Perry, Donald Fagen. Basically, every vocalist I’ve listened to.
I’ve now been listening for about 3 hours last night, and am at about 4.5 hours today. So far.
Very impressed, as you foretold. I’m keeping all the gear I’ve bought from you, needless to say.
How much are the loaner power cords, if I wish to keep them?
Thanks for educating me on this brand, and Spectral / Avalon synergy, and answering all my questions, and persuading me to get the things necessary to hear it in its best light. You set me up for success.
And thank you even more for doing the right thing on replacing the non operating amp (which was damaged in shipping) and its operating sister with another matched pair. Great customer experience! I really do appreciate how you’ve been in our dealings.
Have a great weekend. "
Last night, I listened for several hours and couldn’t believe it, but I’d had a few drinks and wanted a reality check on re-listening today. Today, a friend and I did an A/B on the Rowland gear. At end of the Rowland part, he said, “You know, that’s pretty damn good”. I said I agree, but let’s see if it can be improved. After just a few songs of the Spectral gear, we were just laughing and amazed.
This Spectral / MIT gear is just spectacular. Especially with my Avalon ISIS speakers.
I knew about the Spectral speed, so was expecting an improvement in the precision on all percussive instruments. Guitars, pianos cymbals, drum kits, etc but this improvement is more than I’d expected. Especially Hugh Masekela - Stimela- Coal Train, and Tool - Pneuma. The wind instruments are much more precise, too. I hadn’t expected the additional nuance in the vocals that we’re hearing. Shelby Lynne, Eva Cassidy, k d lang, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Heather Paterson, Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Beatles, CSN, Peter Cincotti, Steve Perry, Donald Fagen. Basically, every vocalist I’ve listened to.
I’ve now been listening for about 3 hours last night, and am at about 4.5 hours today. So far.
Very impressed, as you foretold. I’m keeping all the gear I’ve bought from you, needless to say.
How much are the loaner power cords, if I wish to keep them?
Thanks for educating me on this brand, and Spectral / Avalon synergy, and answering all my questions, and persuading me to get the things necessary to hear it in its best light. You set me up for success.
And thank you even more for doing the right thing on replacing the non operating amp (which was damaged in shipping) and its operating sister with another matched pair. Great customer experience! I really do appreciate how you’ve been in our dealings.
Have a great weekend. "
Comments on upgrading to Spectral preamp / mono amps / MIT cables:Spectral DMC-30SV and DMA-400RS
"Really enjoying the music! What a system upgrade! Thanks for your expert guidance."