Acoustica Avis 5

Excellent help, support and service from the word go. I called into the guys at the shop when I wanted to dip my toe into owning a real music system. Excellent advice, no pushy sales. Bought my first system in August 2023. Since then I've upgraded my record player and I pop into the shop for a chat when I'm passing. Pete, Dan and the whole team are truly excellent and I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

I have always been a fan of good Hifi and was the lucky owner of a Naim NAC 42.5, NAP 110, SNAPS system in my mid twenties. A great system and even better after a full service by Naim a few years ago. But marriage, work, life, kids, etc obviously took my attention in the intervening years until I started to take it a bit more easy (from work!) and I decided to go back in to my interest in Hifi. Living not far from Chester, i always drove past Acoustica and used to look at wistfully, thinking one say I will go in and just browse. When that moment arrived, i went in and I met a very likeable, knowledgeable and helpful gentleman (the former owner) who helped set me on my path back into the ‘rabbit hole’ that is the acquisition of really top end Hifi equipment! (Naim, Rega, Dynaudio, Bowers & Wilkins etc). Since then, I have built up a system that continues to amaze me every time I listen to it, via guidance from all of the excellent staff in Acoustica, who have been nothing but incredibly helpful, trusting and accommodating with me. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They will go the ‘extra 10 miles’, and so I can strongly recommend this very good Hifi outlet to anyone with a serious intent to acquire some of the best equipment on the market

Excellent customer service. I do like the idea of a try at home before you buy. Brilliant equipment setup at my house taking the stress out of reading the manual. Keep up the good work guys.

Spotted a Ex Demo Naim Hicap on a well known online auction site.

The unit was being sold by Acoustica.
I called acoustica and asked if I could arrange a store listening demo with them.

The guy I spoke to at acoustica seemed a little taken aback that I was asking to store demo one of their online auction Ex Demo units.
He reluctantly agreed and I travelled to the acoustica store in chester.

On arrival, to a Customerless store.
The 2 acoustica staff present found it strange and amusing that I had asked to store demo one of their online auction sales and I was told they dont make any money from them.
I didnt see any relevance in this and my store demo?.

I then listened to a few tracks with the Hicap and my integrated amplifier.
During some of the tracks one of the staff proceeded to tell me what I should be listening for?
I found this condescending, especially after over 25 years of home Hi Fi ownership.

The speakers used by acoustica at the demo where not to my taste at all.
A pair of french made focal, terrible sibilance with the inverted metal dome tweeter and weak bottom end, especially for a floorstanding loudspeaker.
I had to keep lowering the volume to prevent headache.
I did mention this to staff and was told their was nothing wrong with them, said he was using Focal at home.

As the customer I would have expected my tastes and preferences to be catered for and not a forced opinion of staff.
Maybe changing over the speakers?. There was many other pairs in store.

I explained to staff I was still unsure, probably because of the speakers. But would take a gamble on the online auction for the right price.

I was then asked by acoustica staff, what I was willing to pay up to in the online auction?.
I did find this unusual and strange but told them around £800 to £900.

I was then told by acoustica staff that they expected the Hicap to sell for over £1200 and that people would pay a premium just bacause it was from them??.
They said they would sell me a NEW unit for £1300.
I explained I did not want to pay this much.

I did not bid in the auction as I expected the Hicap to sell for the acoustica estimate of over £1200.
It sold well below this.

I now have a Hicap purchased on the same online auction site from a different seller, for a lot less than the acoustica unit and it is a younger model.

IMO, The Hicap DR Sounded far better in my home system using my speakers.

I have bought hi-fi equipment from Acoustica over the past few years. The service is always exceptionally good. They are always knowledgable, helpful and allow you to demo the equipment in a relaxed environment (sadly not currently, due to COVID) with no sales pressure. You end up with the system you want, not one that they think you should have. Pete is extremely approachable, friendly and helpful. I have steadily upgraded my system and my music listening enjoyment over the years thanks to his help. They are also extremely reliable and offer great customer support.
Highly recommended.