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September 2023 by Paul Davies
By their own admission too busy to earn my business. Won’t do comparative demonstrations of the equipment on display in their showroom. Refused to allow me to bring my own turntable to compare with the $30k turntable I was seriously considering buying.
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June 2023 by Seth Calderhead
These guys are the best around. Husband and wife business for those who appreciate really good audio and craftsmanship. If you have the money, and you really care about music, you need to go here. This is as good as it gets.
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February 2023 by Billy Ng
I called Basil Audio to see if I could try the ATC speakers. A lady answered my call, and asked me what I was looking for. I told her that I wanted to try ATC the SCM7 or 11 speakers. She said he could set up a McIntosh 275 for me to try. Since I had a tube amp already so I wanted to drive the ATC speakers with a solid state amp. I asked if they also carried the ATC P2 amp so I could try too. She told me 'yes' but she explained to me why not everyone liked to pair the amp and speakers with the same brand. I got it, and I told her we could talk more when I got there. Then, she told me that you came here to listen, not talk. Huh, what? Talking is the part I enjoy the most when I buy a gear. I always had a good chat with the salesman over the phone before I placed the order. I finally bought a McIntosh power amp and the ATC SCM11 with 2 different online stores that were willing to talk to me, and I really really enjoy the conversions with the salesmen.
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July 2022 by David Brennan
I just stopped by the Basil store to ask about the Focal Stellia headphones they have in stock ($3k). I wear hearing aids and need a demo to be sure they cover the aids correctly. No demo available and only store credit for returns. I was curtly told that I should buy online. Thanks I did. Crutchfield is shipping tomorrow! I tried to start a conversation about upgrading my focal kanta 3 to an active loudspeaker like the KEF or ATC that Basil sells but was cut off, told something about how "we need to keep the door locked to keep bad customers out"(he pointed to the lock! ) followed by "we only see customers by appointment". The store was empty, I was the only customer. I was literally chased out! Sadly this is my 2nd bad experience with Basil. 3-4 years ago I demoed the Focal Sopra. I was starting the process of upgrading my entire system. They were talking about amps and turntables when I wanted to focus on speakers. They were quite condescending when I stated my preferences (class D and 100% streaming). They also ignored my email asking for a price on the Proac Response 48R. It would have been nice to have worked with a dealer less than a mile from the house. My $40K upgrade was completed online and with AudioVision in SF. My audiophile journey will continue, sadly Basil will not be part of it.
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July 2022 by Francois X.
Not a fan. I was looking for a replacement turn-table to play my vinyl. Budget was $5K-10K , which is peanuts in the rarified world of high-end audio. I know it. That was fine by me, because I am value buyer. I look for the best quality for my dollar, not necessarily the cheapest. I mean, I could have gone a significantly higher price if I saw value....but I didn't see any!!! Regretfully, this place tried to railroad me into a hobby-kit unit he would work on. He had a little table with all sorts of random electronics and a soldering iron. He told me he would buy the "kit" and put it together for me. Whaaaaat? I am paying at least $5K for this guy to assemble something essentially in what is his "Garage," with no quality control, no inspection, probably minimal testing, with knows what he is putting in there. Not to mention his skills in soldering or workmanship. Yes warranty...blah, blah, blah. But time my friend...cannot be given back for any future hassles of a $5K hobby kit. Not to mention, that on a hot day he had me wait around a steaming hell-hole while he fumbled for about 20 minutes to get his systems to "work," so I could listen to a sample unit. That was not exactly an entirely confidence- inspiring experience. After that experience, I had Zero Confidence that this guy could assemble a PB&J sandwich much less a $5K turntable on a tiny workbench. I wasn't misled by his quasi-British / foreign accent. I lived in Europe, and still travel there frequently. I wasn't fooled. To his credit, he does have a decent selection of classical vinyl if you want to buy it in the here-and-now. Overall, the guy seems like a decent chap, but the place is a cluttered mess and not a place I would want to dump $5K+ for someone's Frankenstein, hobby project. Poor value overall.
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May 2022 by Henry Zhang
I don't usually write reviews unless the experience is extraordinarily good or bad.Seeing all this high rated reviews here made me wonder why I am treated differently compared to everyone else. I visited Basil Audio for a demo session of turntable with my girlfriend. I really liked the turntable but only wanted to get the turntable without the Linn or Naim DSM. This is because at home I have a setup streaming from my computer via an audio interface to studio level high end speakers. I was asked to listen to the DSM, so I did. Afterwards I said I don't hear a difference between the DSM and my current setup, if anything the ATC speakers are a bit different from my Genelecs. I was then accused of having no connection to music, it even got to the point that I was told if I do not cry listening to the music from the Linn DSM, I have no emotional connection to music. What I really expect here is an explanation of why the DSM setup is better than the computer setup, for example the DSM power supply is usually more suitable for musics and can reduces a lot of signal jittering (this comes from my own knowledge of audio equipments). Afterwards a lot of condescending remarks were tossed at me and anything I said was replied with "what you said is non-sense", it was extremely difficult to remain polite but I tried my best to be civil and mature here. Even remarks like "Sometimes we pick our customers just as much as our customers pick us" were tossed at me. Basil Audio also mentioned their customers are mostly startup founders or top executives of large companies as if I am not "qualified" to be their customers. First, they don't even know me or my networth. Second, who I am shouldn't make a difference as to my rights and privileges as a human being. I should not need to prove to anyone to purchase something like a turntable. As a result, I immediately decided to purchase a 30k turntable from a different Linn Dealer instead.I do not see myself a picky person and I've had a lot of experience buying high-end products in many different verticals. This dealer did not open my eyes in the field of audio quality, but definitely revolutionary in customer service and salesmanship.I cannot judge but I question why so much prejudice and condescending remarks are tossed at me when I am just being politely honest about what I hear. ALL explanations of why Linn DSM is better from Basil audio were "emotional connection" based.
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March 2022 by Andre D.
I called this place as they popped up as a local dealer and needed service and support. I like to support local businesses as much as I can. But this place reeks of arrogance and only care if you're looking to purchase. Otherwise they are not Interested in building a partnership. Shame as the Bay Area doesn't have many audio HiFi shops that are friendly and accommodating no matter what level of budget one has.
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March 2022 by Sean C.
I am seriously interested in buying a high end audio gear and called the store. The guy who answered my phone was very rude! I have never run into such a store who treat their potential customers. Don't recommend and save yourself from a terrible experience!!!
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January 2022 by Amlan C.
Called them to discuss purchasing an MX-123 they said they'd call back and noted down my number. That was 3 months ago.
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November 2021 by Bill Jeffers
Quite simply, the best products and one to one service in the Bay Area. Answered every question I had, and helped me understand the questions I didn’t think to ask! Superb knowledge.
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September 2021 by M Kelly Rogers
I had the fortune to have found Jeremy and Deondra when they were just getting started some years ago. I'd wanted some service work and upgrades done to my 80's vintage Linn LP12 turntable. In my opinion, the drive to do the right thing, as well as the technical and audio expertise, and patient diligence that Jeremy has constantly exhibited is unparalleled in the high-end audio business. All done in a very low key approach, providing the customer the highest quality listening experience possible.
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August 2021 by Van X.
Uncompromising music listening experience. You won't regret doing business with Jeremy and Deondra. This review is overdue, but sitting in front of my kanta naim system this slow morning listening to Tracy Chapman I just need to share this insanity. Uncompromising is the best word I can think of, streaming hifi master tracks from tidal. If you want the best experience, just know that Jeremy and deondra will focus on the customer they are dealing with, so be patient and when it's your turn you will feel awesome. Jeremy is an absolutely uncompromising audiophile and will tell you in no uncertain terms what the best system is. Deondra understands that some people are ok with certain distortion and prefer various styles of speakers. And again they will underline that whatever system you get they will get you the same brilliant sound. Jeremy spent an hour finding the optimum location for the speakers at our place, which was quite educational. As Jeremy predicted by reading me, I ended up dropping in an SVS subwoofer and repositioning the Kantas (after recording and taking pictures of Jeremy's optimum location) -- sorry Jeremy :). I struggled to find a good sound in the new positions, which required toeing the kantas in, but watching Jeremy allowed me to iterate. (I know, they shouldn't be toed in and the sound is slightly different, but still spectacular for my ears). Call Basil Inc for a drop in appointment and enjoy the ride. We wanted the kantas over the b&w for our personal aesthetics, and while tempted by the ATC, we are very happy with our focals. Such a treat, especially during covid!
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August 2021 by Sherrie C.
Wonderful customer service! Since I'm currently in an area that lacks a shop to try out a Rega P8, I took a chance and ordered from their website. They sent e-mails whenever there was an update on my order status. The turntable arrived safely packed and quicker than expected. My only regret is that I missed the message they sent offering to come by my town to set up the P8 for me! (This is my first audio system, so it longer than I want to admit for me to figure out how to set up just 4 components, lol) Thank you, Jeremy and Deondra!
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March 2021 by Eli Schneider
I was in touch with Basil Audio after inquiring about a used amplifier advertised on their website. Even though another customer ended up buying it before I could, Jeremy was very gracious and professional and went out of his way to help me out. Based on this experience, I would definitely work with them again and would certainly recommend them to my friends. 5 Stars!
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December 2020 by Bob P.
Basil Audio is the best place in the entire SF Bay Area to get a Linn LP12 turntable upgraded, repaired or tuned up. I tried 2 places in the North Bay where I live and was disappointed with the quality of upgrades and repairs. Last month, I found Basil Audio on the Linn Website of dealers and spoke to Jeremy and Deondra several times on the phone. They patiently explained my options and answered my questions. I took my LP12 down there a few weeks later. Jeremy is a perfectionist and craftsman. His passion for Linn turntables was obvious as he held my turntable. I upgraded to the Karousel bearing, traded in my Kandid cartridge for a new one and exchanged my plinth for the new Oak plinth. My turntable now looks like a work of art and sounds amazing. It has never sounded this good. Jeremy spent time explaining the nuances of the LP12 so that I appreciated it's engineering and design. Even though it was a 4 hour round trip to deliver and then pick up my turntable, it was time well spent. If you want a turntable or need one repaired, go to Basil Audio first. Jeremy and Deondra are very patient and knowledgeable. They adhere to COVID protocols and precautions with gloves, masks and sanitizer. We did curbside pickup when my turntable was finished. If you are looking to get into vinyl, put Linn at the top of your list of turntables. The LP12 gets rave reviews and has huge fan base. Basil Audio is highly recommended by this audiophile.