My Approach
My introduction to hi-fi came early, when my dad brought home a Sansui Six receiver paired with Dynaco A25 speakers. He still owns the Sansui today. At the time, nothing else I’d heard came close. It had a full, rich sound that pulled you in and made you want to keep listening.
He also had a Dual turntable, and my brother and I would spend hours playing records, including Depeche Mode, New Order and Talking Heads. No matter how many times we listened, it never got old. That feeling stuck with me.
My first turntable was a Fisher-Price, complete with its own matching speakers. A fairly humble beginning—but one worth including in the story.
As a teenager, music took a different turn. I discovered drum and bass through a Toronto radio program called Hard Drive. It opened up a completely new world of sound, and before long I was all in, buying records, learning to DJ, and eventually playing raves and clubs on a pair of Technics 1200s and a Pioneer mixer. My job at the time funded what was quickly becoming an obsession.
In my early twenties, I found my way back to hi-fi. Those early memories of my dad’s system stayed with me, and I wanted to recreate that experience for myself. My first proper setup was a NAD CD player and integrated amp driving Totem Rainmakers. It reignited everything.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve gone deep into this world. I’ve owned gear across all levels, spent countless hours experimenting with systems and, like most people in this hobby, made my share of mistakes along the way.
Speaker & Song was built from that experience, not just a love of music, but a desire to help others find a system that makes them feel the way I did sitting in front of my dad’s stereo all those years ago.
What to Expect
Whether you’re building your first system or refining one you’ve owned for years, Speaker & Song is designed to make the process relaxed, informative and centred around the music.
I’ll make time for you to hear the equipment properly, using music you know and at a pace that lets you make meaningful comparisons. You’re welcome to ask questions, try different combinations and take the time you need.
The listening room is set up to feel relaxed and unhurried, with comfortable seating and space to focus on the music. It’s easy to listen closely without feeling as though you are being given a sales presentation.
I’ll offer honest advice, answer your questions and help you explore the options that make sense for you and your system. Whether you buy something today, next month or not at all, you’ll always be welcome.