Top 15 NYC HiFi Influencers and Tastemakers

The Concrete Jungle's Sweetest Sounds: Top 15 NYC HiFi Influencers & Tastemakers

New York City is a global capital of music, art, and design. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s also home to one of the most vibrant and influential high-fidelity audio scenes in the world. From legendary reviewers who have shaped industry tastes for decades to avant-garde designers blending streetwear culture with bespoke tube amps, the "NYC Sound" is eclectic, discerning, and unapologetically high-end.

Navigating this world can be daunting. The city is filled with hidden-gem listening rooms, appointment-only salons, and personalities larger than the speakers they review. To help you tune into the frequency of the city, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 NYC-based HiFi influencers and tastemakers. These are the voices, the curators, and the visionaries defining what good sound means right now.

The Veteran Voices

These individuals are pillars of the audio community. Their reviews, commentary, and deep historical knowledge have guided countless audiophiles on their journeys.

• Steve Guttenberg (The Audiophiliac): Perhaps the most recognizable face in HiFi journalism today. Based in NYC, Steve's daily YouTube videos blend decades of experience as a high-end salesman and writer with an approachable, enthusiastic style that resonates with newbies and hardened audiophiles alike.

• Michael Fremer: The undisputed king of analog. Known for his passionate defense of vinyl, incredible turntable setup expertise, and decades of writing for top publications. He now runs TrackingAngle, continuing his deep dives into records and analog gear from his NJ/NYC base.

• Herb Reichert: A long-time writer for Stereophile living in Brooklyn. Reichert’s reviews are more like philosophical essays on art and listening. He champions gear with "soul," often highlighting tube amplifiers, horn speakers, and accessible, musical components over sterile spec-sheet champs.

The Design Visionaries

These tastemakers are blurring the lines between audio equipment, furniture design, and art installation.

• Jonathan Weiss (Oswalds Mill Audio - OMA): Operating out of a spectacular showroom in DUMBO, Brooklyn, OMA creates bespoke audio equipment that looks like something out of a Fritz Lang film. Weiss challenges conventional audio wisdom, focusing on high-efficiency field-coil speakers and slate plinth turntables for a massive, life-like sound.

The Curators & Salons

In NYC, the HiFi dealer is often a tastemaker equal to any reviewer. These salons curate specific "house sounds" and offer experiences you can't get buying online.

• Gideon Schwartz (Audioarts NYC): Located in a beautiful appointment-only space in Manhattan, Audioarts is an ultra-high-end salon focusing on rare, often European brands. Schwartz is a curator in the truest sense, assembling systems with an impeccable ear for musicality and luxury.

• House of Sound NYC: A new, multi-story experiential center in SoHo run by McIntosh Group. It’s a stunning showcase for brands like McIntosh, Sonus faber, and Pro-Ject, designed to show how high-end audio integrates into a modern, luxurious lifestyle.

• Innovative Audio Video: A legendary NYC institution for over 50 years. Founder Elliot Fishkin has guided generations of New Yorkers toward better sound, carrying a wide range of top-tier brands with a focus on long-term customer relationships.

• Park Avenue Audio: A prominent midtown dealer known for its impressive showrooms featuring heavy hitters like Bowers & Wilkins and McIntosh, catering to both two-channel purists and high-end home theater enthusiasts.

• Stereo Exchange: Another classic NYC shop with a deep history. They offer a curated selection of excellent gear across various price points, maintaining the tradition of the knowledgeable, brick-and-mortar HiFi shop.

The Downtown & Vibe Creators

These spots define the cooler, more communal side of NYC's listening culture.

• In Living Stereo: Located in the East Village, this shop has a fantastic, laid-back vibe. They specialize in gear that is fun to listen to, championing brands like DeVore Fidelity, Dynavector, and Line Magnetic. A true neighborhood gem for music lovers.

• Public Records NYC: While primarily a venue, bar, and cafe in Gowanus, Brooklyn, Public Records is a major HiFi tastemaker. Their custom-built sound rooms, designed with Devon Turnbull and others, have set a new standard for club audio, prioritizing fidelity over sheer volume.

• Jeffrey Catalano (High Water Sound): A distributor and dealer known for assembling some of the most musical and emotionally engaging systems at audio shows. His NYC-based appointment-only showroom focuses on unique, often horn-based systems and analog sources that prioritize tone and texture.

The Industry Standard

• Stereophile Magazine: While a national publication, its heart and history are deeply tied to NYC. Many of its key writers are based in and around the city, and its editorial voice continues to be a primary influence on the global high-end audio conversation.

Connect with the NYC Audio Scene

Use the links below to follow these influencers, visit their showrooms, and dive deeper into the world of New York HiFi.