Stereo Exchange
Stereo Exchange is a family-owned, by-appointment specialty retailer in Manhattan that has sold and installed high-end audio and home theater equipment from premium brands such as McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, and dCS since 1984.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Stereo Exchange does
Stereo Exchange Inc. is a privately held, family-owned specialty retailer of high-end audio and home theater equipment, founded in 1984 in New York City by David Wasserman and currently led by him as CEO with co-founder Ann Wasserman. The company sells premium two-channel and home theater components, including turntables, integrated and power amplifiers, tube electronics, DACs and network streamers, speakers, subwoofers, and cables from brands such as McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, Sonus faber, dCS, Simaudio/Moon, Rogue Audio, Gryphon, Audio Research, Rega, Technics, JL Audio, and Clearaudio. Price points span roughly $299 for entry-level items to $70,000+ for flagship editions, with average transactions skewed toward the upper end of consumer audio. The business also operates a Wilson Audio Certified Authentic pre-owned program, trade-in and consignment services, and a secondary-market presence on Audiogon and eBay.
Distribution is built around a by-appointment flagship showroom at 23 East 17th Street (Union Square) in Manhattan and a secondary showroom at 857 Broadway, supported by in-home installation services that include certified WASP setups for Wilson Audio, Control4/Savant integration, and custom theater work. The marketing approach is reputation-driven rather than digital-performance-driven, relying on earned media (New York Magazine, TWICE Magazine awards), brand-hosted listening events, and a long-tenured sales staff that includes a CEDIA ESC-D certified VP of Sales and decades-long industry veterans. Revenue streams include new equipment sales, certified pre-owned sales, trade-in purchases, and transaction-fee income from secondary marketplaces; no external investor, private equity, or parent-company ownership is indicated, and the company is self-funded by its founders.
Stereo Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stereo Exchange
- Legal name
- Stereo Exchange Inc.
- Website
- https://stereoexchange.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Stereo Exchange is a family-owned, by-appointment specialty retailer in Manhattan that has sold and installed high-end audio and home theater equipment from premium brands such as McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, and dCS since 1984.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stereo Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Audio Equipment Retail
- NAICS
- Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651), Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hi‑Fi / Audiophile Components (DACs, Amps, Turntables, Streamers) (CRACANAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Turntables & Vinyl Audio Equipment Retail (CRACAEAH), Speakers & Subwoofers Retail (Soundbars, Surround, Smart Speakers) (CRACAEAF), AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail (CRACAEAE), Audio Accessories (Ear Tips, Cables, Stands, Cases, Transmitters) (CRACANAM)
Keywords
Where Stereo Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Stereo Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- New High-End Audio Equipment Sales: Sale of new luxury audio equipment including turntables, integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, network streamers, speakers, subwoofers, and cables. Brands include McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, Sonus faber, dCS, Moon, Rogue Audio, Gryphon, Audio Research, Rega, Technics, Monitor Audio, Meridian Audio, Clearaudio, JL Audio, Totem Acoustics, and others.
- Wilson Certified Authentic Pre-Owned: Sale of certified pre-owned Wilson Audio speakers with factory-spec resistor replacements and extended warranties. Higher price points than general used market but below new retail.
- Trade-In and Consignment: Stereo Exchange buys and trades high-end audio equipment. Interested in equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, B&W, Wilson Audio. Equipment must pass inspection standards.
- Audiogon and eBay Sales: Secondary marketplace sales through Audiogon and eBay stores for rare and pre-owned audio equipment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium/Ultra-Luxe Equipment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Stereo Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stereo Exchange operates by-appointment luxury audio showrooms in Manhattan that retail new and certified pre-owned high-end audio equipment — turntables, integrated and power amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, streamers, loudspeakers, subwoofers, and cables — from premium brands such as McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, Sonus faber, dCS, Moon, Rogue Audio, Gryphon, Audio Research, Rega, Technics, Clearaudio, JL Audio, Monitor Audio, Meridian Audio, and Totem Acoustics. The retailer also provides expert consultation, factory-authorized WASP installation for Wilson speakers, custom home theater and whole-home audio integration with Control4 automation, and a trade-in/consignment program for premium equipment upgrades.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Technics SL-1200GME Direct-Drive Turntable Reference direct-drive turntable featuring a coreless motor with Blu-ray Disc rotation control and ΔΣ-Drive PWM system expanding carrier frequency from around 2 kHz to over 20 kHz for reduced audible noise; sold to audiophiles seeking premium vinyl playback.
- Gryphon Antileon Revelation Power Amplifier Pure Class A power amplifier delivering massive, stable power with commanding grip and extraordinary resolution for control of high-end loudspeakers.
- Rogue Cronus Dark Integrated Amplifier Award-winning pure-tube integrated amplifier with redesigned MM/MC phono section, 45dB/60dB gain settings, and five individual load settings for fine-tuning phono playback.
- Rega Planar Naia Turntable High-end turntable with graphene-impregnated carbon fibre skeletal plinth, Tancast 8 foam core, ceramic aluminium oxide braces, and resonance-controlled ceramic platter for premium vinyl replay.
- JL Audio Fathom v2 Powered Subwoofer High-efficiency powered subwoofer with ultralong throw drivers and powerful switching amplifier technology derived from the Gotham flagship line, delivering low distortion and deep bass extension for larger spaces.
- Gryphon Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier Flagship integrated amplifier built on cutting-edge component technologies from Gryphon's Chief Designer Tom Moeller and Founder Flemming Rasmussen, positioned as the successor to the acclaimed Diablo 300.
- Audio Research I70 Tube Amplifier Tube amplifier combining Audio Research separates in an elegant compact package with REF330M-inspired visual design and a fully enclosed transformer array.
- McIntosh MC1.25KW Quad Balanced Monoblock Power Amplifier Single-chassis monoblock power amplifier delivering 1,200 watts per channel into 2, 4, or 8 ohms via Autoformer technology with 0.005% total harmonic distortion.
- Moon 891 Network Player / DAC / Preamplifier All-in-one unit combining a network player, DAC, and reference-level analog preamplifier with M-VOL3 volume control, dual-mono layout, and MDE2 digital engine supporting PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD512, plus MiND 2 streaming (Roon Ready, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect).
- Moon 861 Stereo Power Amplifier Stereo power amplifier delivering 300W per channel into 8 ohms and 600W into 4 ohms with dual-mono layout, distortion below 0.001%, two 1500 VA custom toroidal transformers, and 240,000 µF of power supply capacitance.
- Clearaudio Concept Signature Turntable Belt-driven turntable with medium-density fiberboard core, polished flat belt DC motor, and a specially developed tonearm and cartridge combination.
- Monitor Audio Platinum 200 3G Floorstanding Speaker Three-way floorstanding speaker with MPD III transducer, 4-inch RDT III mid-range driver, and twin 6-inch RDT III bass drivers in a slim, compact design.
- dCS Rossini RSDA APEX DAC / Streamer / Transport High-performance digital audio component leveraging Vivaldi-range technologies for network streaming, CD/SACD playback, and precision clocking with ultra-low distortion.
- Totem Bison Twin Tower Floorstanding Speaker Canadian-made flagship speaker featuring two high-performance woofers operating in the same frequency domain for lush midrange and bass fullness, built with custom drivers and evolved crossovers.
- Sonus faber Amati Supreme Floorstanding Speaker Flagship speaker incorporating Voice of Sonus faber technology and custom crossover components for soundscape reproduction paired with timeless Italian design.
- Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Abbey Road Limited Edition Floorstanding Speaker Limited-edition speaker (140 pairs worldwide) celebrating the 45-year relationship between Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios, featuring a Vintage Walnut cabinet and Connolly leather trim.
- Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy 50th Anniversary Edition Loudspeaker System Anniversary-edition loudspeaker system combining the original WATT/Puppy engineering with current advancements, including an ultra-rigid cabinet, advanced crossover, and hand-selected drivers.
- Wilson Certified Authentic Pre-Owned Speaker Program Certified pre-owned Wilson Audio speakers with resistors replaced to match original factory specifications, a one-year Wilson factory warranty if shipped, or a three-year warranty when delivered and installed by Stereo Exchange via the WASP (Wilson Audio Setup Procedure) performed by certified installers.
- Trade-In and Consignment Service Buying and trading service for high-end audio equipment from mainstream manufacturers such as McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Krell, B&W, and Wilson Audio, subject to inspection standards, allowing customers to monetize existing gear toward upgrades.
- In-Home Custom Installation and System Calibration Professional in-home installation service covering Wilson Audio WASP setup procedure by certified installers, system configuration, calibration, Control4 home automation programming, and integration of audio with video and lighting for custom home theater or whole-home projects.
- Secondary-Market Used Equipment Sales via Audiogon and eBay Sales of rare and pre-owned high-end audio equipment through the Stereo Exchange Audiogon marketplace listing and eBay store, complementing the in-showroom certified pre-owned offerings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20,000 Clearaudio Concept units sold industry-wide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Stereo Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Stereo Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Stereo Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bowers & WilkinscoreAuthorized dealer for over 25 years. The longest-standing relationship with a premium speaker brand. Stereo Exchange showcases B&W's finest equipment including the 800 Series Diamond, Abbey Road Edition speakers, and 803D4 in their Union Square showroom. The partnership emphasizes shared obsession with detail and science-first approach to audio.
- McIntosh LabscoreAuthorized dealer for over 20 years. Stereo Exchange is a top quality private demo location in Manhattan, staffed by passionate audiophiles who still service components sold decades ago. Brands powered Woodstock and the Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound.
- Wilson AudiocoreBecame Authorized Wilson Dealer in September 2024, celebrating Wilson's 50th anniversary and Stereo Exchange's own 40th anniversary. Currently offering Wilson Certified Authentic pre-owned program with exclusive in-store warranty benefits.
- Moon by SimaudiocoreManhattan's premiere dealer for Simaudio/Moon products. Featuring the Evolution line (described as 'among the best sounding electronics in the world') and comprehensive streaming DAC/integrated amplifier lineup. Offers exceptional warranty: 10-year transferable warranty with 100% trade-in credit within first year, 75% in second year.
- Rogue AudiominorExclusive displaying dealer in NYC for Rogue Audio products. Rogue Audio specializes in high-end tube amplifiers and has won numerous accolades including Preamplifier of the Year by Absolute Sound in 2018.
- Sonus fabercoreLong-standing partnership bringing Italian luxury speakers to Manhattan market. Sonus faber is praised for combining stunning visual design with superior audio performance, featuring lute-shaped cabinets and 'Voice of Sonus faber' technology.
- Audio ResearchcoreManhattan's premiere location for Audio Research amplifiers. Proud dealer of the Reference line featuring tube amplification technology with see-through chassis design.
- dCScoreAuthorized dealer for dCS (Data Conversion Systems) digital audio components including Rossini and Lina lines. dCS is renowned for Ring DAC technology used in recording studios worldwide.
- Gryphon AudiocoreAuthorized dealer for Danish high-end audio manufacturer. Products include the Antileon Revelation monoblock amplifiers and Diablo 333 integrated amplifier, described as 'World's Finest Integrated Amplifier.'
- TechnicscoreAuthorized dealer for Technics turntables including SL-1200GME Grand Class direct-drive turntable, SL-1200GR2, and SL-1500C-K models. Premiered at showroom in April 2024.
- RegacoreAuthorized dealer for Rega turntables including the Planar Naia with graphene-impregnated carbon fibre skeletal plinth and ceramic aluminum oxide components.
- Monitor AudiominorAuthorized dealer for Monitor Audio loudspeakers including Platinum 200 3G floorstander with MPD III transducer technology.
- Meridian AudiominorAuthorized dealer for British digital audio pioneer known for DSP technology and psychoacoustic optimization. Introduced world's first audiophile-quality CD player in 1984.
- JL AudiominorAuthorized dealer for JL Audio home subwoofers including Fathom v2 powered subwoofers and wireless streaming solutions via JLINK TRX system.
- Totem AcousticsminorNew York City go-to dealers for Totem loudspeakers including Tribe Tower, Rainmaker bookshelf speakers, and Bison Twin Tower flagship. Totem's Signature One and Sky Monitor won 2018 Absolute Sound awards.
- ClearaudiominorAuthorized dealer for German high-end turntable manufacturer. The Concept turntable has sold over 20,000 units since 2009.
- Leon SpeakersminorBrings Michigan-made architectural speakers to NYC market. Specializes in aesthetically thoughtful home theater audio including speaker bars matched to flat panel dimensions.
- SonanceminorPreferred in-ceiling and in-wall solution for audio that doesn't impact space aesthetics. Parent company Dana Innovations holds six CEDIA Hall of Fame awards and invented invisible speakers.
- AudioquestminorAuthorized dealer for premium audio cables, the DragonFly USB DAC, and record cleaning accessories. Known for signal flow optimization and noise dissipation engineering.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Stereo Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Audio Advice: High-end audio, video, and home theater retailer headquartered in Raleigh, NC. Directly comparable as a specialty retailer carrying McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Sonus faber, and other premium brands, with showrooms, custom installation, and strong content-driven digital marketing.
- World Wide Stereo: High-end audio, video, and home theater specialty retailer based in the Philadelphia area. Closely comparable as a multi-brand luxury A/V retailer offering premium speakers, amplifiers, custom installation, and trade-in programs targeting affluent audiophile customers.
- Music Direct: Chicago-based specialty retailer focused on high-end turntables, vinyl, and analog audio components. Comparable as a curated audiophile retailer carrying Clearaudio, McIntosh, and similar brands, with a strong e-commerce and pre-owned/used equipment channel.
- ListenUp: Long-established high-end audio and home theater retailer based in Denver, CO. Comparable as a multi-brand audiophile specialty dealer offering turntables, speakers, amplifiers, and integrated systems to a similar affluent enthusiast customer base.
- Definitive Audio: High-end audio retailer based in Seattle, WA serving the Pacific Northwest. Comparable as a luxury audiophile dealer offering premium speakers, amplifiers, and installation services to a similar affluent enthusiast segment.
- Upscale Audio: California-based high-end audio retailer specializing in tube electronics, McIntosh, and audiophile brands. Comparable as a specialty dealer with a strong online presence, trade-in program, and curated premium product lineup.
- Saturday Audio Exchange: Family-owned high-end audio retailer in Chicago. Comparable as a multi-decade audiophile specialty store selling premium speakers, electronics, and turntables with trade-in and pre-owned equipment programs.
Broad incumbents
- B&H Photo Video: Large New York City-based consumer electronics retailer carrying audio equipment, speakers, and home theater products. Comparable as a NYC-headquartered electronics retailer serving audiophile and home theater customers, though operating at much broader scale and price range.
- Crutchfield: Large multi-category consumer electronics and home audio retailer based in Virginia. Comparable as a US consumer electronics retailer carrying speakers, amplifiers, and home audio, though Crutchfield operates at much higher volume with a direct-to-consumer catalog model rather than a luxury niche focus.
- Magnolia (Best Buy): Best Buy's premium audio/video retail concept with dedicated showrooms inside Best Buy stores. Comparable as a high-end A/V retail channel in the US, though operating at much larger scale and as part of a mass-market electronics retailer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stereo Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceStereo Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stereo Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Stereo Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stereo Exchange M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stereo Exchange
What does Stereo Exchange do?
Stereo Exchange operates by-appointment luxury audio showrooms in Manhattan that retail new and certified pre-owned high-end audio equipment — turntables, integrated and power amplifiers, preamplifiers, DACs, streamers, loudspeakers, subwoofers, and cables — from premium brands such as McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Wilson Audio, Sonus faber, dCS, Moon, Rogue Audio, Gryphon, Audio Research, Rega, Technics, Clearaudio, JL Audio, Monitor Audio, Meridian Audio, and Totem Acoustics. The retailer also provides expert consultation, factory-authorized WASP installation for Wilson speakers, custom home theater and whole-home audio integration with Control4 automation, and a trade-in/consignment program for premium equipment upgrades.
Is Stereo Exchange a public or private company?
Stereo Exchange is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Stereo Exchange founded?
Stereo Exchange was founded in 1984. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Stereo Exchange based?
Stereo Exchange is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Stereo Exchange make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. New High-End Audio Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are wilson Certified Authentic Pre-Owned, trade-In and Consignment and audiogon and eBay Sales.
Who are Stereo Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Audio Advice, World Wide Stereo, Music Direct, ListenUp, Definitive Audio, Upscale Audio and Saturday Audio Exchange. Broad incumbents are B&H Photo Video, Crutchfield and Magnolia (Best Buy).
Does Stereo Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stereo Exchange.
What industry is Stereo Exchange in?
Stereo Exchange's product category is Luxury Audio Equipment Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACANAI, Hi‑Fi / Audiophile Components (DACs, Amps, Turntables, Streamers), with a secondary code of CRACAEAH, Turntables & Vinyl Audio Equipment Retail. Its NAICS code is 4492 and its SIC code is 3651.