1978 - Switched on to Hi-Fi
Bob Wilson started a Hifi store in Bundaberg in the 70s. In the late 70s Andrew discovered proper HiFi at a Home Show that Bob was displaying at. He was immediately drawn to the impressive lines and obvious quality of the Luxman, Rotel, and Teac gear on display. Later upon visiting his store Andrew's life was changed when he heard Rogers loudspeakers for the first time.
1980 - Tech Nerd.
I guess Andrew was a nerd...? Both in the scouts and interested in amateur radio. Sheesh! On the front page of the local paper with the PM isn't a bad effort though. Never been on the front page of anything since though. Click for full sized image of nerd and a re-elected Malcolm Fraser
1980 - Tech Nerd.
I guess Andrew was a nerd...? Both in the scouts and interested in amateur radio. Sheesh! On the front page of the local paper with the PM isn't a bad effort though. Never been on the front page of anything since though. Click for full sized image of nerd and a re-elected Malcolm Fraser
1982 - Andrew Goes Pro!
In 1982 Andrew began a Radio and TV Mechanic apprenticeship. Not the coolest sounding title but a useful trade nonetheless and one that hasn't existed for some years now. Anderew completed it in 1986 and went out into the wide world as a tradesman who probably new a whole lot less than he thought but fortunately he worked with and for a few very bright people who trained me well. He also worked part time selling HiFi for Bob. A great time!
1989 - Take over Bobs.
By 1989 Andrew knew it all and took over Bobs store. Interestingly he is still learning something almost everyday about this complicated and wonderful hobby/business/passion that is enjoying recorded music with great fidelity at home and the gear that helps us do that. Andrew and staff sold an enormous amount of really interesting and high quality eqipment through to the new Millenia when between 2002 and 2006 he took a break from full time retailing and repairs. During the 90s though we sold Cyrus, Bowers and Wilkins, Luxman, Rotel, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Denon, Onkyo, Orpheus, Richter, Nad, Mission, Kef, Rogers, Sennheiser, AKG, MS, JBL, Harmon Kardan, Aragon, Rega and many more. Most of that gear would still be going as equipment performed and well and was built to last then.
1989 - Take over Bobs.
By 1989 Andrew knew it all and took over Bobs store. Interestingly he is still learning something almost everyday about this complicated and wonderful hobby/business/passion that is enjoying recorded music with great fidelity at home and the gear that helps us do that. Andrew and staff sold an enormous amount of really interesting and high quality eqipment through to the new Millenia when between 2002 and 2006 he took a break from full time retailing and repairs. During the 90s though we sold Cyrus, Bowers and Wilkins, Luxman, Rotel, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Denon, Onkyo, Orpheus, Richter, Nad, Mission, Kef, Rogers, Sennheiser, AKG, MS, JBL, Harmon Kardan, Aragon, Rega and many more. Most of that gear would still be going as equipment performed and well and was built to last then.
1997 - DVD Arrives
The HiFi Shop still sells a bit of home theatre equipment but in the late 90s Andrew built some very fancy rooms that offered amazing picture and sound quality thanks to careful acoustics design, CRT projectors, HTPCs and bloody expensive speakers and amps. DVD of course made this all possible and created the boom that is largely now bust that was the Home Cinema room. A shame really as cinema sound done right at home can be way better than commercial cinema. At the height of it we had a demo room in store that was completely black when the lights were of and dead quiet when the sound was off. 12 custom cinema seats and quadratic diffusion everywhere hidden behind acoustically transparent fabric wall paneling.
2006 - Change of Town
A move to the Sunshine Coast in 2003 to allow easier distribution of a number of products from the UK including Spendor meant ultimately Andrew had to open a store again (working from home is very over rated anyway...). Hence The HiFi Shop was born. A small shed at the other end of Production Ave worked well for a while but a move to bigger premises with better parking occurred in 2008. 10 years on its still a handy, easy to find location with plenty of room. Andrew is also happilly selling and servicing some of the finest audio gear available such as Falcon, Exposure, Naim, Rega, Neat all of which are still manufactured in the UK. The original small premises are pictured.
2006 - Change of Town
A move to the Sunshine Coast in 2003 to allow easier distribution of a number of products from the UK including Spendor meant ultimately Andrew had to open a store again (working from home is very over rated anyway...). Hence The HiFi Shop was born. A small shed at the other end of Production Ave worked well for a while but a move to bigger premises with better parking occurred in 2008. 10 years on its still a handy, easy to find location with plenty of room. Andrew is also happilly selling and servicing some of the finest audio gear available such as Falcon, Exposure, Naim, Rega, Neat all of which are still manufactured in the UK. The original small premises are pictured.