This should serve as a review that showcases why working with local Hi-Fi shops may be in your best…read moreinterest, as I had a couple of issues with the product(s), and how Tim and his staff did everything above and beyond to make sure it was corrected, and I was satisfied. Stopped by Hi-Fi Haven after a Whittier Narrows Bike ride just to see a local dealer. I was greeted by Tim, the owner and his sweet dog. I asked about McIntosh and he gently took the time to ask me questions on my current journey and what my goals were. After some good discussion, he showed me a few of his setups just to show me what other possibilities and options are on the table. I appreciate this because it was very educational and showed me the bounds of what I can play with and budgets. We settled on purchasing and taking home an XXX as an entry level unit. He gave me great pricing on an older new in stock unit. I tried it out at home for a few weeks and fell in love with the sound that it produced. However, the unit had an issue with the power button and Tim, offered to have it repaired (free of charge) and promptly ordered the parts from McIntosh. While he took time to repair the unit at his shop, he left me a different McIntosh unit from his inventory to take home and try out. This gave me time to ponder... if I loved the sound of this unit, and McIntosh build quality being "buy it for life" pieces, I started to think I should upgrade to the ZZZ, something future proof. Tim agreed to take back the XXX and I placed an order for a ZZZ. The ZZZ came and took it home with glee, and it sounded wonderful, even better than the XXX! However, I noticed that one of the aesthetic parts was not like the others and it was a significant (to me) issue, as the ZZZ is what I consider a beautiful art piece. Tim and his staff came to my home and observed this and agreed that it was not how it should be. Tim took my concern and dissatisfaction of the unit and effectively communicated to the factory that something should be done about it, and pushed to have the unit replaced (my desire), instead of repaired, as it required messing with circuit boards. At the same time, I also pursued support from McIntosh directly, and they were less than helpful, and frankly dismissive and unresponsive with multiple attempts (quite disappointed by this). The new unit arrived, and Tim hand delivered it to my home and helped me set it up and made sure everything was on the up and up. Without the strong customer service Tim provided, I would have been a dissatisfied customer with a defective unit from the factory. Tim and his entire staff went above and beyond to clearly communicate, follow through, accommodate, generous, stand on the side of the customer, integrity and just be Good People. Never dismissive, always kind, always listening. I have had other great customer service from other dealers like Crutchfield, but working with a local dealer is truly a step above and the way to go. The Hi-Fi journey is a long, time-consuming journey, and having someone like Tim and his staff to rely on and work with you to ensure 10000% satisfaction is what is so refreshing to experience. Being able to discuss, touch, and listen to things over a period of time before making big decisions helps both customer and business owner. I highly recommend giving Hi-Fi Haven a chance at your business, as they definitely earned my current, and future business with all the exceptionally positive interactions I've had with them. I will be putting this system in my lake house and possibly build another with him for a family member. *Don't let the "open one day a week" fool you. Once you meet him, he will be working with you regardless of what day of the week it is.

This place is a hidden gem in Whitter. They have An amazing…read moreselection of McIntosh equipment and high- end audiophile speakers etc.. the owner and the assistant that answers the phone during the week "Alex" is super knowledgeable and obviously passionate about what he does, and it shows. "They will guide you in the right direction". The owner keeps it open because his dad had owned it since 57' and leaves it open because he likes hi end equipment. With that said, you really gotta have or save a lot of money to even purchase anything in the store. So bring a lot of money. Lastly, the reason for the less than perfect start is that they are incompetent when it comes to repairs and installation of of Styluses. Ps. Don't even complain because they do not take responsibility of something they fixes does not work. Their are a lot of great places still to get your vintage hi fi equipment fixed for way cheaper, fast and consistently reliable. An amazing place that comes to mind is: "Joes Electronics, Bordering East La on Beverly Blvd". Been open for over 25 yrs and is super honest and fixes just about anything and is open 7 days a week. Very rare in this day in age. Their are still hidden gems out there ... And it feels good to good money to a small business ..