Loyalty and integrity are core values @ Liquid Audio.

These values drive not only how I care for my customers, friends and family and support those who value my work and what we stand for, but also reflect my approach to life. This may or may not be important to you, but it is to me, and it’s a two-way street.

I supported a customer in getting this guy banned from StereoNet. I’ve helped many deal with shonky repairers, RF’d gear and deadbeat sellers. I educate the hi-fi community with articles and advocate for improvements to benefit all. I even support people like YouTuber Stephan Fischer, who was sued for reviewing DCS lithium batteries:

With all that positive energy output, I appreciate those I’ve helped returning it via recommendations, reviews, and bookings for equipment we specialise in, and most do! Sadly, though, a small number who I’ve gone above and beyond to assist have not. Worse, some have chosen to:

• Mislead me and/or the hi-fi public
• Use my expertise and knowledge to engage competitors for work we specialise in / made them aware of / helped them acquire
• Engage businesses that copy my work, website, style, and even Hall of Shamers!

This is often the type of person who visits a hi-fi store, drains the business owner’s time and expertise and then buys equipment they’ve auditioned online, or who tries to steal my time rather than pay for a consultation. It’s the sort of behaviour that precipitated the operational changes I wrote about some years ago in an article that received overwhelming community support.

I love helping people, but who likes helping people like this?! Critically, I never need work, and I contribute a great deal more than most. To protect my time, energy and sanity, I focus on those who appreciate and return the goodwill, and those good people are cherished as much as the equipment we care for. Time-wasters and brain-drainers have plenty of other options in terms of people to bother!