Hi-Fi Shops in Ireland

[Sloop John B]

On another thread hifi hut was mentioned and it was the first time I had ever heard of it. Got me thinking that a thread about hifi shops on the island of Ireland May be useful, particularly from people who have purchased from them.

The last piece of kit I bought from an Irish shop, a Naim CD 555, was 2011 from Ainm -av which is now gone.

So what have you bought, from whom and how would you rate them?


SJB

[tony]

Well no doubt Cloneys will have a lot of victims from this forum! I mean that in jest as they have been great to deal with for me over the last number of years. Got back in to hifi when Ivan sold me a secondhand cyrus rack and hifi components. Went back for upgrades and got good deals on all occasions. Happy to lend kit and will give good advice on components people are interested in. They are probably the best stocked shop in Dublin for hi end kit and also have a smattering of affordable stuff.

[jaybee]

I'd have to say I'd be loath to shop anywhere other than Cloney...

They are second to none; since we were 14, they wanted us to call out, to listen, to give our opinions, take away, try and hopefully buy...

We bought then, and have been buying ever since (some more than others...)

I've never bought any hifi item from a retailer that wasn't them and I cant see myself ever doing so

[DaveF]

When it comes to borrowing and trying out equipment Cloney's are very hard to beat. They dont always stock stuff that I'd be really interested in but when I'm looking to upgrade theyre always my first port of call.

Bought a rack of the Listening Suite a few months ago. Nice lads to deal with.

[Steve]

Would also have to agree that Cloney's really are a very different experience than any other HiFi dealer that I'd been to when first getting into this mad hobby in the earlyish '90's.

Thinking at the time that I simply didn't have enough of a budget to be stepping in the Blackrock direction, I'd bought various components off Capel HiFi, Studio One, HiFi Corner, Lafayette (think that's what they were called, down by Ha'penny Bridge). Also frequented Harry Moore's and Richer Sounds although not sure if I actually ever bought there.

But once I stepped into Cloney, I never went elsewhere. Fantastic guys who really know their stuff and always focus in on what the customer really wants rather than what the current views in various mags are. No surprise at all that they've managed through the tough times in Ireland, they must have some of the most loyal customers of any retail outlet in the country!

Outside of Ireland, I did venture a couple of times.
A few years back I did buy my equipment stand from Walrus Audio in London - seemed grand to deal with.
And then also took the plunge of buying my pre-amp secondhand on the Wam - worked out well too.
Which then started me buying valves in a few different places abroad mainly because of variety available on different websites.

But still rank Cloney as the benchmark and always the first place to drop into if I have a HiFi idea rattling around...

[cybot]

Agree with everything said about Cloney Audio. Simply the best at what they do. Noel too has a fantastic fountain of anecdotes and stories which he loves to regail us with....

[mick]

Another thumbs up for Cloney Audio. When I first went to Cloney Audio they were in Leinster Mews. I have never shopped anywhere else. Customer Service is second to none. In all those years Noel has never tried to push things on me. He has only ever recommended products that he thought would suit the type of sound I like within my budget, and would make a substantial difference. He has also stopped me from making as he say 'sideways steps',where products I had asked about would not have made a real difference to the sound quality I already had. You can't get better than that.

[Ivor]

Cloney Audio are still my first port of call. Where else can you try out a fine piece of hifi at leisure just by asking? Sometimes without even asking!
In the past I've bought bits from Richer Sounds, Creative on the Lisburn Road and my first real hifi was from AudioTek in Rathmines.
Audiolincs in Lincolnshire was a great resource too but sadly Jim Burke has now retired (this time for good!) but I did buy some great gear from him and his advice, like Noel's, was solid and honest. Lovely guy to deal with. A quick call to check stock could end up as 2 hours talking about hifi and music.
I've also had very happy dealings with KronosAV in Dungannon although last time with an old pre amp I felt my grumbles about it not working 100% were dismissed quickly. Years of goodwill slightly tainted but then it could have been a bad day up north.

[Adrian]

I bought stuff from one Hi Fi shop in Rathmines... can't remember the name... something like Hi Fi Corner or Speakers Corner. It was on the same side as the cinema... kind of opposite the Swan Center. Can't for the life of me remember the gent in there.. but he smoked a lot... but was a really nice chap, very helpful.

I've bought stuff of Kronos AV, off their website, again good website, clear prices etc, stuff turned up relatively quickly.

I've paid a visit to Hi Fi Hut, very nice bunch of lads, again good website, prices clearly marked with pictures of the various items. They have a demo room upstairs, and had a Rega P1 on display with other Project TT's etc.

Years ago, I bought a Rotel amplifer for my dad.. in Munster Sounds.. again a very nice bunch of lads who did their level best, but unfortunately the market in Cork was just too small. They survived as long as they could but alas... had to close about 18 months ago.. maybe 2 years or so.

I've also used various sellers in the UK.... Audio Philia in Scotland.. very nice to work with and Audio Affair in Birmingham, good bunch of lads.


And of course, last but not least... our old favourite Cloney's.... who need no introduction.

[Ivor]

I bought stuff from one Hi Fi shop in Rathmines... can't remember the name... something like Hi Fi Corner or Speakers Corner. It was on the same side as the cinema... kind of opposite the Swan Center. Can't for the life of me remember the gent in there.. but he smoked a lot... but was a really nice chap, very helpful.

Originally Laskeys and then HiHI Corner. Great shop for odd cartridges!