One of the most important high‑end dealers in the UJ, Midland Audio X-change is centrally located, has a great store, and a product list to die for. The company, run by longstanding dealer of note John Roberts has been at the forefront of high-end audio, both as a retailer and a dealer-distributor, for many years.
We spoke to John Roberts from his Worcestershire premises about his inspirations, his aspirations, and that epic product list…
Hi-Fi+: What brands/products do you stock?
JR: Quite a few! We distribute 47 Labs, Bergmann, Boenicke, Chario, EmmLabs, Konus Audio, K-Rak, Lavardin, and Meitner Audio. Alongside these, we stock Astell & Kern, Audeze, Audio Research, AURALiC, Burmester, Computer Audio Design, Clearaudio, Constellation Audio, Copland, Devialet, Dynavector, Jadis, Koetsu, Hana, Harbeth, Hi-fidelity cables, Isotek, Leben, Magico, Mark Levinson, MartinLogan, Melco, Musical Fidelity, Nagra, Naim Audio, Neat Acoustics, Prima Luna, Puresound, Rega, Resolution Audio, Revel, Shahinian, Sonus faber, T+A, The Funk Firm, The Fuuga, Transfiguration, Trilogy, Transparent Cables, Vdh, Wadia, Weiss, Well Tempered lab, and Wilson Audio. And yes we stock it all!
What inspired you to get into the industry?
I was into music/hi-fi from an early age, as my father owned a number of cinemas and I used to work in those in my formative years. I got my first hi-fi system at the age of 11 and on my 16th birthday, I was given a Revox A77!
I then became involved with live music and set up a PA hire company based in Birmingham. We were lucky enough to be successful with the Brum beat sound and the New Romantic explosion
Having had enough of life on the road, I got back into hi-fi and was offered a job with my hi-fi dealer in Worcester…
What music do you listen to when doing a demo?
Personally I listen to mainly 1960-70s Rock and Progressive, but have had to adapt to other genres of music. If you ask what I listen for, well, it really is a point of what sounds real and what doesn’t; scale, depth, musicality, and timing are hugely important.
What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone who is looking to improve/upgrade their system?
To start at the beginning with a good mains supply and cables to your components. Do that and things start to fit into place quickly, and mind the use of non-metallic racks, too. Grounding devices are essential for the best results in the UK as so much distortion is in our supply.
Where do you see the industry going?
Well, I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and I have seen many changes in how people buy hi-fi. You will never find MAX selling hi-fi on the Internet using a shopping trolley scenario, as it’s really against all my values. I do find that people make huge mistakes buying this way and nine times out of ten, we have to pick up the pieces.
But we need to see unification in the industry if we are going to survive long term, where parity is done fairly across the board on prices. Any fool can pile it high and sell it cheap; I’d like to think we offer a better solution!
Who have been your biggest influences?
In the hi-fi industry, there were many people along the way, but notable ones were Julian Vereker, Roy Gandy, and Touraj Moghaddan, from a design aspect.
People who have made a big difference to the High-End industry changing into what is now include Ricardo Franassovici, Branko Bozic, Nigel Crump, and Robert Purnell.
Streaming music: how good is it?
It’s better from a library point of view and it tends to get you to play and listen to more diverse music. Roon for me is my saviour in the shop and brings everything together, looks great, and is easy to use
Hi Res: what’s all the fuss about?
In general, not a lot has impressed me! I have to say, if a recording is good, then its good at 44.1 khz 16 bit resolution. I have purchased lots of Hi Res music and to be perfectly honest it often leaves me cold; it’s hard, bright, and sometimes even aggressive.
Ripped CD in bit perfect using DB poweramp is the way forward!
What is the future for CD or SACD?
Sorry, but digital discs are in decline in our shop. Six or so years ago, we were selling ARC, Wadia, dCS, Accuphase, and top flight Japanese machines. I can still see why people like to listen to it, but for me no more; streaming is now at a level that I can live with.
Vinyl – is there anything better?
In my eyes the most gratifying sounds I’ve heard are from this format. It gives a much better frequency response in an unforced natural way. It also is still one of the areas that tweaks and tuning can make huge differences.
Contact Details
Twitter @Midlandaudiox
Facebook Midlandaudiox-change
www.midlandaudiox-change.co.uk
tel: +44(0)1562 731100
Midland Audio Xchange
The old Chapel
Forge lane
Belbroughton
Worcestershire
DY9 9TD
Tags: FEATURED
By Hi-Fi+ Staff
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