The price of a small family car

Years ago I walked into Dubai Audio to ask about Klipsch speakers. I walked out having heard a McIntosh system priced like a small family car. Nobody there treated me like a man who could not afford it.

On the way through the premium display I saw the blue meters. I had first seen them as a kid at the high-end shows my father took me to, almost 35 years ago. I asked one of the owners, Mr Amir, whether they were for sale, and admitted I did not think I had the budget.

He did not look at my budget. He said they were proud to carry the brand and walked me into the listening room: an MA12000, a pair of Sonus faber Amati G5 just unboxed, a HiFi Rose RB150 as the source. My god, it sounded so nice. He told me the price, and we moved on to talking about something else.

That open door is what I remember, more than the number. Dubai Audio treats every person walking in the same way, existing customer, prospect or just curious. Years later, when my new B&W Diamonds sounded hollow and I finally understood why, that afternoon was the memory that sent me to McIntosh.

Mr Amir sold me nothing that day. He sold me everything that came after.