The short answer: I believe it’s mostly because of our trusted approach, reputation for integrity, professionalism, and great results.

Liquid Audio is an ethical, specialist, small business, cherishing classic audio and educating the community, in an industry heavy with ‘recappers’ and substandard workmanship, and light on informed, passionate and genuinely respected technicians and enthusiasts. People everywhere tell me how much they appreciate our approach and wish we were nearer, a sentiment that has been expressed since I started this business. It’s immensely gratifying that people appreciate what we do and the way we do it.

Reputation

The longer answer requires elaboration. I’m honoured to assist local, interstate and even international customers, and proud to be entrusted with so much beautiful hi-fi equipment. Some of Perth’s best hi-fi retailers and most discerning equipment owners use and recommend Liquid Audio. I’ve declined several prestige service partnership offers, preferring to remain small and independent. *

Liquid Audio is respected as much for what we offer/do: attention to detail, knowledge, professionalism, consumer advocacy, and extensive contributions to the hi-fi community, as what we don’t: terrible reviews and court cases leading to multiple business name changes, destroying equipment, ranting at unhappy customers, using low-grade parts, being barely literate or able to solder, lying about qualifications, etc.

Authenticity

Of course, a reputation like this can’t be ‘crafted’; it must be earned, something we’ve done through hard work, original thinking, and dedication to excellence for over 15 years. Others are lazier, and I’ve spotted my designs/words/repairs in many places over the years, shamelessly stolen by those perhaps unable to come up with something of their own. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but copying doesn’t make one wise, skilled or respected. Quite the opposite.

Designing, building and maintaining a large website, handling all the technical work, inventory, photography, writing over 650,000 words, editing, and managing the admin —basically, creating and doing everything —is uniquely challenging and authentic. People see and appreciate that.

Contributions

As a youngster, I deeply appreciated retailers like John Negus and Frank Prowse, but lamented the lack of knowledgeable hi-fi technical specialists and unbiased sources of factual hi-fi information. So, fuelled by my passion for hi-fi, electronics, science, my thirst for the truth, and my unhealthy obsession with detail, I tentatively set about creating that business and this website.

Fast-forward 15 years, and I’m still amazed to be at capacity with local and interstate work, and to have such strong engagement with my content. Our customer engagement and loyalty confirm that people appreciate the unique perspective, and many of my articles appear to be the first of their type anywhere on the internet. This site was visited nearly 400,000 times in 2024, and we have over five million combined views, numbers a large business would be proud of!

Scale

I’ve never been driven by the need to own a Ferrari or eight houses. I could have scaled Liquid Audio to three times its current size years ago, given the endless amounts of work I turn away. Instead, I choose to work from home and book just enough work to keep me busy and ensure that all of it is 1) done by me, 2) to a standard that I am happy with. I’ve deliberately not hired help despite numerous requests from people wishing to learn, not moved into a shop and kept my business small.

Integrity

Lastly and most important to me, and most of my customers, are honesty and integrity. I support friends of the business and deal fairly with everyone, even those who perhaps don’t deserve the courtesy. Even the worst Hall of Shamers begrudgingly appreciate my ethics, hard work and honesty. Work is never farmed out, as one notorious Perth repairer does. Everything is created, managed and done here, by me, with care, honesty and integrity.

This unique approach means we will be busy, and I apologise for any delays this may cause. There are not enough hours in the day to assist everyone, but I genuinely appreciate your interest in our services and encourage you to use our booking status table. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

* One famous four-letter UK brand starting with ‘N’ repair partnership was very tempting..!