Stereo Discount Audio and Video

Recently bought a Nikko 815, really love this unit. Had an issue and Stu replied right away. I believe they moved to a new location, but this shop is the best and I highly recommend it. We need to support our local economy and I cant recommend this place enough! 1^st class all the way. Recommended!!!

Stu is awesome. I bought some A/​D/​S L620’s from him and they are amazing. He is very accommodating and down to earth. Wants to make sure you make the right purchase, not lining his wallet. Even knocked a few bucks off for me. Overall a great place!

Wow! So much stuff!
I went in two weeks ago looking for a cool retro stereo for my living room, speakers and a tuner. I’ve been relying on a Bose Bluetooth player, and I’ve had other stereo docks for my phone, but they just don’t have the warmth of sound you get from a stereo, especially if you have people over. To actually hear the music, you have to have it up to loud, or it’s too low, just making background noise. Those little speakers are convenient, like for outside, but they weren’t cutting it for me.
Stu at Stereo Discount hooked me up! What a difference. I still play the music from my phone connected to RCA jacks, but the sound is so much nicer. The system also looks so cool.
Great customer service, an amazing selection, what else could you want?

I dealt with Stereo Discount Center for 13 years going back to the «good old days» of hi fi… and now through it’s current owner Stu who keeps the dream alive and well. Stu has worked diligently to provide top quality and very cool used (and some new) stereo components to the Providence community at very fair prices and has backed up everything I ever bought from him… even if it was used. His prices were ALWAYS more than fair and the convenience of finding something unique, very quickly, was one of the pleasures of walking into the store. There is ALWAYS interesting gear priced WELL BELOW internet prices and occasionally the odd piece of non-​stereo gear makes any visit interesting. I’ve always found Stu and his employees to be friendly and unique and ALWAYS willing to direct someone to another location of they did not have what I needed. I’ve never bought anything there that I felt uncomfortable with especially knowing the level of honesty and integrity I was dealing with from the ownership. I hope this store is around for many years to come. Any hi-​fi enthusiast should definitely pop in… you never know what piece of rare gear, solid state or tube might show up.

Just wanted to says thanks to stu for 25 years of great audio/​video and many more! You have turned me on to the best equipment in the world and saved me tons of Money! Thanks You Rock!

Every time I’ve come here, SDC has what I need. Whether it’s a random cable or part, or a top quality and reasonably priced set of headphones or earbuds. Stu is always more concerned with fitting you with what you need rather than upselling you. He’s knowledgeable about every single object in his store, and has been very patient to explain how something works without making me feel like the clueless idiot that I am when it comes to most things adio. If I need it, and they have it, I go SDC every time.

Full disclaimer; I love all things Audio/​Visual related, so of course I’m gonna love this store. The fact is, I’ve always loved this place– –ever since I was a young’n running around the East Side with my cronies getting into trouble and engaging in hi-​jinks. Every so often we’d come traipsing into this place (in their former incarnation) and pretend that we could actually afford anything in the shop (we were broke college kids back then, as was the style) We’d bring in our own music and ask to «test drive» these speakers before we «bought» them… and these speakers, too… now these! «Pop in this Primus CD, my good man.» «Now this Coil CD, thank you; sounds amazing». Then we’d explain that we couldn’t possibly buy today, as our dividend cheques hadn’t arrived yet. And then we’d go running down the stairs and grab a burrito. Fast forward to 2015 and there’s still quite a bit there that I can’t comfortably afford. Not because the store is overpriced– no, in fact they are quite reasonably priced– it’s just that they carry some really, really, REALLY high-​end stuff! An audiophiles’ dream. But they also carry many, many entry level audio components. Need a turntable? Got $ 159 bucks? They will Set You Up; and rest assured you’ll be buying quality Vintage wares that are tested and vetted and blow most currently retailed gear out of the water. Same goes for Tape players, CD players, Receivers, etc etc. All quality items –otherwise they wouldn’t even BE there. I bought my first ever active subwoofer there– still use it today as part of my 7.2 surround sound home theater. Over the years I’ve gotten parts, speaker components, and tons of free advice and engaging conversation there as well. Oh, and the occasional repair. I’m a pretty handy guy, granted, but sometimes something comes up that even I can’t repair! But guess what? They got this guy there– who Can. Top notch repair service, fair pricing, expert advice, and plenty of stock on a consistently rotating basis. Looking for something they don’t have? If it’s something new– they can probably order it for you. Something vintage and hard to find? Try back next week! What could be better than That?

Dear Unilocal,
I’ve purchased a few vintage stereo items here, including speakers, turntable, and replacement styluses (styli?), as well as had them repair my stereo receiver. Each experience was extremely pleasant. The owner, Stu, is pretty awesome guy. He is very informative, easy to talk to, non-​judgemental (if you are a audio idiot), and honest. He helped me pick out amazing speakers to match my receiver and tastes. He knows his stuff and always gives me a good deal, as well as good home audio system advice. I don’t know where I’d be without SDC. Where else can you take your vintage receiver for repairs??? I’d have to throw it out and buy something new and expensive and I’d do a bad job and up with piece of crap because I’m a audio idiot. Whenever my friends say, «I need new speakers or something,» I tell them, «go see Stu!»
Five Stars,
Tim P.

Knowledgable, friendly and great stuff! What else can you ask for? I started shopping here in the 80s and though I’ve moved away I still pop in when I go home to visit. Had a problem with a turntable a bit ago and Stuart helped me from across the country. He REALLY knows his stuff!!!
I really can’t say enough good things, try them out!

I have been a customer of Stereo Discount Center for almost 30 years. It’s current owner, Stu, sold me my first great stereo system about 25 years ago. I’m super impressed the place is still in business!
As an audio writer, I am eternally grateful that SDC – and Stu specifically – took the time to educate me about what matters when it comes to putting together a good system, and supporting me way above and beyond the call of duty after the purchase.
By the way, I read that review above about the power cord and felt serious dismay. That’s not what SDC is about, it’s not in the business of selling power cords for rock bottom prices.
If you have an ear for great sound, happen to be in Providence, and you want to check out a genuine independent audio retailer that’s in the business of getting you maximum bang for your audio buck, it’s worth stopping by and saying hi.

5 stars! No hesitation here!
Stu is very and always helpful, knowlegeble and professional.
He will always take time and explain every detail and answer every question you may have.
Highly recommended!

I would to first of all indicate that my review applies only to this business at it pertains to their pricing of used components. I did not buy speakers here.
I tried to buy a simple cord here today. I was provided with a dirty used cord (which was fine, I just wanted a cheap version– but I didn’t expect it to be filled with dirt). But my draw dropped when he asked me for twice what this cord would retail for at RADIO SHACK. It was more expensive than Amazon but I was willing to contribute to a local store but this was ridiculous. It was 5 times the amazon price. And the guy wouldn’t budge. But what knocks this place down to one stars is how rude the guy in there became when I tried to negotiate just a little bit.
Sad…it seems like that place can use all the business they can get

About a year ago I first walked in this haven of speakers. Since then I go back as often as possible. I have bought klipsch speakers from here and love them. I bought an equalizer and love it. Stew is a great guy and always hooks you up with a great deal. I highly recommend this place and the only problem I see with it is I wish they were open more often.

I think it’s called ‘Stereo Discount Audio and Video’ now
If you need new or used stereo equipment in the Providence/​Brown area it’s worth your while to find this place. Stu is the nicest, most honest guy you could find. He also does installation and recommendations as well as repairs. The way things are made these days (disposable) its worth it to find people like this. He’s been in the same location for decades and not too long ago moved –to the basement of the same address. He’s kind of a ‘best kept secret’ in Providence. I’m not really sure why there aren’t more stereo stores near Brown/​RISD. Maybe kids don’t listen to music on stereos anymore? I dunno. But Stu always comes across something interesting and there’s all kind of oddball/​hi-​end, low/​end stuff coming through his shop. He set my mom up with a good little radio for the kitchen, without too much fuss or heavy-​handed salesmanship. I can’t recommend him enough for any sort of audio or video gear. I don’t know why he doesn’t advertise more, but he’s still there ‘downstairs, around the back’ of the former location. Great prices, quality new and used stereo and video gear– nothing else like it in the whole state AFAIK.