Andrew Singer, Legendary NYC Audio Retailer Dies
beneath the bluster sound by singer store owner was a sweet man
Andrew Singer, New York City audio retailing legend, passed away this past Sunday April 21st at age 73, succumbing to pancreatic cancer after a prolonged battle that for a while he seemed to be winning. Singer was opinionated, gruff, didn't suffer fools and could be very difficult to deal with but beneath all of that he did have the proverbial heart of gold as anyone who dealt with him over time and got to really know him can attest. He also knew the equipment and the business, was a good listener who truly loved music and so, for many years was a very successful retailer. (I borrowed the photo from an overseas website that I trust will not object).
Singer was a musician, a Civil War buff and an attorney before settling into a highly successful career as a high-end audio dealer on 17th street in lower Manhattan. It was a career launching pad for salespeople, some of whom entered the business and others who became equipment reviewers. As the retail business changed and real estate values spiked, Singer closed the store, later opening a second floor retailing location across from the Fashion Institute of Technology, which remained open until his passing. The store's future has yet to be disclosed.
In a 2017 column I wrote, "The week Stereophile featured an iPod on the cover, I was thrown out of a well-known New York City audio salon. "Get out!" the owner yelled at me. "I don't sell iPods! I don't want you in here!"
That of course was Andy Singer. He threw me out. I'd gone there at the behest of an individual working for either the first or second organization that bought Stereophile, who was attempting to start a new luxury goods magazine and wanted me to pose next to pair of B&W loudspeakers. This would take but a few minutes so he didn't feel it was necessary to clear it first with Singer. We walked in, I stood next to the speaker but before the photograph could be taken, Andy yelled "Get out!" He meant it. So we left.
Of course Andy got over that and I was welcome in his old store and in the new second floor one he opened after closing the street level one. After he bought the SAT turntable and SAT tonearm (I think it was the unit I reviewed), he asked me to drive up to his Westchester home and set up a costly Analog Relax cartridge. By then Andy was receiving chemo for his cancer but he appeared strong. It was my first visit to his home. He had a Civiil War miniature enactment on a table in the listening room.
We sat around talking for a while following the set-up work. It was the first opportunity I had to really get to know him. He was truly a warm, thoughtful soul. A real mensch. Next visit up was to replace the Analog Relax cartridge that needed to be returned to Japan for a rebuild. Andy was considerably weaker at that point.
About a month later, not having heard from him, I called to see how he was doing and to inquire about the cartridge's whereabouts. He was grateful for the phone call, he told me, and said he was still waiting for the cartridge and would call when it arrived.
He didn't sound at all well so this news was hardly a surprise. I'm sorry I missed his best retailing years, most of which were when i was living on the west coast. I'm sure the others will have great stories to tell.
Rest in peace, Andy, glad I finally got to know you better. Singer leaves a wife, a daughter a fine sounding audio system and a large record collection. I think he'd find that funny so don't comment to complain.
