Don Better Audio

Extremely knowledgeable. Great guy!

I'm a 50-something who is just now getting back into my audiophile fascination which I put on hold for 25 years ago due to life, family, job, travel. I'm also a native Clevelander and had heard about Don and his shop over the years. I purposely avoided Don and his shop for a long time, knowing that a visit would surely result in a dilemma about priorities which I was not ready to confront.

Recently something clicked and I knew it was time for The Visit. I called ahead to confirm open hours that happy Saturday morning. Don answered right away and told me to come on over.

Don greeted me at his home / shop with a welcoming smile. After some conversation and information about his background, his shop and how he likes to work with people, Don began asking the exact right questions to help him understand my individual situation and to hone in on some equipment combos to get us started. He asked questions like what am I looking for, what kind of music do I like, what sources do I have / want, listening room specifics, any biases toward certain technologies in speakers, amps, brands, etc....and of course the key question - what is your budget. He handled the budget question well, showing the smallest hint of discomfort about having to ask, but knowing it's absolutely essential with the range of hi-end kit he has to offer.

Don asked all of these questions in a friendly, seeking-to-understand way and completely without judgement. He eagerly offered as much detail as I was ready to take in regarding music, sound, equipment, technology - not to overwhelm, impress or confuse, not to push me toward more expensive kit, but simply to help me on the journey. I felt like Don was my personal audio coach.

Don proceeded to give me his undivided attention for the next hour (I arrived at the early end of his hours), setting up various combinations of speakers, sources, amplification, etc.

By the end of the visit I was significantly more educated than when I entered, but not ready to make purchase decisions. Don seemed to have no expectations otherwise, telling me most people need several visits and auditions before they get to a decision point.

I left and spent the next couple days doing research, emailing and speaking with Don about questions I had, etc. Then I set up a second private appointment to narrow my choices and get to a final decision.

Once I made my choices, Don was extremely efficient and professional about admin details - handling payment, setting up shipping, etc. When my gear arrived, Don was there the next day to set everything up, show me the ropes, educate me further based on my specific setup. After a thorough and unrushed setup, Don indicated he was ready to help with anything I might need or any questions I had as I settled into my gear. He told me he'd be back out to the house a couple month after setup to see how things were going.

This all happened in the last two weeks and after several days of extensive use, I couldn't be happier with my new setup which includes loudspeakers, phono and integrated amp all within my target budget.

Thanks for the truly outstanding experience Don. You're doing it right!

Don Better Audio in Cleveland, Ohio offers wonderful service for any level audiophile / stereophile ( i.e. music nerds who want high quality studio sound for their music and are willing to pay a premium for high end sound systems that play vinyl records LPs, CDs, digital music, etc. ).

The world of high end stereo systems can certainly be intimidating but you don't have to be an expert or understand the science of how sound is transferred etc., your ears will tell you most if you just simply listen intently.

Don Better Audio has a low-key approach to serving his clients. You come over his studio on the east side of Cleveland (bring a few of your favorite records, CDs, etc.). Have an idea of what you want to acquire and spend, in terms of budget and sound quality. Don will sit with you and consult on what he can offer you and then he will actually play for you on various items which could serve your ears and music listening needs.

Once you decide on what you want, Don will invoice you and order the equipment from his suppliers. I was so new and green I asked Don to bring the equipment to my home and set it all up for me (he did bring it over and set it all up in my home in about an hour's time once all the equipment I ordered was delivered to his store). Total time from committing to buy to having it all in my home was just over 1 week.

In the world of high end audio systems, dropping 6 figures is entirely possible if money is no object. Myself, I had a somewhat humble budget and I had been saving and waiting years to finally get my high end audio starter set. The hardest part of it all was finding someone I could trust who could show me the ropes and offer me hi fi stereo equipment that fit my budget with good bang for the buck. Don Better Audio did all that for me.

All in I spent some $4.5k for my new high end sounding rig ( worth every penny as I plan on enjoying this for yrs to decades). Brought my music loving Dad over to hear it, he was blown away by the separation of instruments, voices, etc. whilst listening to the music on my new rig.

Great excuse to have fellow music lovers over to enjoy tunes together.

BOTTOM LINE is this:

If you are in or near Cleveland, Ohio and want to acquire a high fidelity audio system to listen to your music well, Don Better Audio is a superb choice for your needs.

Give him a call, visit his website, or simply email him. Dude knows his stuff and is very trustworthy. Thanks Don,

-James Anderson

I have shopped with Don several times, and each time he has taken the time to explore products and set ups in detail that I never dreamed of receiving from a dealer. An all around great guy with an amazing set up, amazing products, and a knowledge base that will have your set up singing like you'll never believe. Highly recommended.

A little background: I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio but lived for 10 years in Manhattan, New York in the 1980s while pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, and later two law related jobs. Prior to moving to Manhattan, I trained as a classical musician for 10 years. I first became interested in hi end audio while located in Manhattan. At that time I was fortunate to live within short subway rides of 5 of this country's then most successful high end audio dealerships - walk in store front operations, lots of customers milling about, lots of competing music playing, lots of auditory confusion - you get the picture. My experience with these dealerships ranged from cordial, professional to grossly incompetent, even insulting - pretty much the full dealer/customer relations gamut if you will. My point here is that I now come to write this review with years of musical and high end audio dealer/customer relations experience behind me - both quite good and unfortunately some dreadfully bad.

Some years ago now I moved back to Cleveland, Ohio. About 6 years ago I made my first purchase from Don Better Audio - a buying experience which proved to be as unique as it was a happy one. I have since made 5 or 6 additional purchases over the years from Don Better Audio, all with similar happy results. For where else in this country can one make an appointment and compare undisturbed best in price class, high end audio components in a large, beautifully maintained, pre-world war II home's warm, expansive (converted living room) listening room? (To my knowledge nowhere else). Though I understand that a couple days a week Don Better does offer now walk in business hours, generally Better's unique, cordial, low key approach supports a one customer at a time auditioning, purchasing experience: No vying with other customers for Better's attention and access to his vast musical and technical expertise (Did I mention that Don Better is also an accomplished professional classical and jazz musician?), no restrictive audition time limit, no distracting competing music also playing, no other customer's milling about vying for Better's attention; in short, absolutely no distractions acoustic or other, just a fun, educative, listening experience - and, if after consideration you so choose, a very fulfilling, fair buying experience.

Don Better does it right. As a result Don Better Audio stands as a unique cultural, educative, commercial achievement.