TESTIMONIALS

The only shop in town that had the speakers I wanted to audition, so I didn’t have a choice but to go in. Super glad I did though. They were sure to have the speakers setup on an amp that was similar to my own before I even arrived, and when I got there they essentially sat me in a room by myself with a streamer DAC and a bottle of water. Amazing experience with exactly zero hard sell like you might expect from a high-end audio dealer. I got to hear the speakers I wanted to hear and take them home same day. No complaints.

Matt C

I’m incredibly grateful to Quintessence Audio. John and his team are true professionals, and this is hands down my favorite Hi-Fi audio store in the Chicagoland area. A few years ago, I picked up a used McIntosh power amp here at a great price. About a year later, I scored an amazing deal on a pair of PBS T800 speakers. And just today, I completed my setup with a Sonus Faber Gravis III subwoofer and dropped off my McIntosh for servicing. Every time I visit, I leave feeling satisfied and confident in my purchases. Huge thanks to John and the team for all they do!

Shane S, Glenview

Audio is a hobby that combines expertise & fun. An audio dealer has to provide answers for both, regardless of your price point. My personal experience with John & Mick at Quintessence Audio has found them to be one of the very best to work with & I highly recommend you check them out. I bet you will have some fun while you learn more about the gear in our hobby. I have previously purchased from dealers throughout the United States, but over the past several years Quintessence Audio has earned my business.

11/19/25

Quintessence just delivered and set up a new McIntosh amplifiers and Transparent cabling for my home theater and stereo. Everything about the experience was top notch from the advice about my selections, to the purchase and the delivery. The installation team was awesome. They did a fabulous job Everything works great, and my beloved old speakers sound better than ever powered by the new amps. Remarkable how much difference new amps and cables make. It was my first purchase with Quintessence. Thanks again for a very happy and pleasurable customer experience.

KM 7/10/2025

I had a great afternoon here in the Quintessence Audio. Mick and Patrick are super nice and friendly, willing to communicate and answer questions. I had 2 and half hours of stress free listening experience to the Hi Hi End system including Wilson Sasha V Dcs Boulder and transparent. You have to visit this place if you are in the quest for real music

Wc Lin   |  Dec. 23, 2023

Last week I purchased a used ClearAudio Concept turntable. While these machines are pre-calibrated out of the box, general use (and even transportation to my home) can cause tracking force and other adjustments to fall out of whack–not to mention that the tone arms on CA turntables are pretty jumpy. Upon trying to set up the turntable at home, it was clear that the tracking force and new cartridge were not calibrated properly.

New CA Concepts come with a small tracking force gauge. Used–no dice. After trying and failing to source one online, I called Quintessence Audio to see if they had any I could purchase. They did.

But they didn’t charge me for it. Not a single dime. Note: I did not purchase this turntable from Quintessence Audio; I’ve never purchased anything from them. I simply called them because they were a local hi-fi audio dealer who might have one in stock (or at least would know what I was talking about).

What’s the gold standard of true customer service? It’s when you provide a service to someone in need who isn’t even a “customer” in the literal sense of the word. How rare is this kind of customer service? Unicorn rare. Quadruple rainbow rare. Needle in a haystack rare.

I was blown away. I am grateful. And I guarantee I will become a customer of Quintessence Audio.

I can’t recommend this business highly enough.

Michael K, Skokie

Quintessence is responsible for what is probably the finest hi-fi experience of my life thus far. John treated my girlfriend and I like royalty; what fantastic customer service! And of course, the shop has some of the nicest gear available. But John made it accessible, fun and exciting to learn all about. I am from out of town but would happily give John my business when the time comes. He more than earned it. What a fantastic shop and a fantastic crew manning it. I will not forget spending time with my girlfriend and the Wilson XVX’s for years. Thanks for the very special memories, John. Can’t wait to come back.

MD   |  June 23rd, 2025

 I started looking for a new higher end stereo shortly after I retired at 70. I visited several high end stores in a both Wisconsin and Chicago area. Things have changed considerably since I bought systems 40 years ago. Patrick at Quintessence was very knowledgeable and never made me feel stupid to the current market. After several listening sessions we were able to zero in on a perfect system for me. Never over selling me or pushing me to higher priced items, only when I asked them to. The journey was mine and I always felt in control. This was not the case at other stores I visited. The other value was their ability to set up different systems. I had several listening sessions to satisfy my curiosity and eventually coming up with a great system which I picked. Their selection of components in store is overwhelming to choose from. All along this journey Patrick was responsive to all my many questions. Only offering direction when asked, letting me pick and choose my options. The whole experience was fantastic and I love the system that I listen to everyday. Mick (Patrick’s father) popped in on occasion offering assistance, but cuddos to Patrick who really managing the process well. These guys are pro’s and I highly recommend them! Note: The system I purchased was more of an entry level system. I was always treated professionally never being pushed down the audio file rabbit hole of diminishing returns.

DR   |  June 12, 2025

Excellent in store inventory and two demo rooms that bring out the best in all the equipment they offer. This is the place to go in Chicagoland for your high end HiFi needs.

Rt Mattson   |  Dec. 1, 2023

I bought the McIntosh power amplifier. But when I went home and opened the box,I found that there was damage to the amplifier during shipment even though there were no damages on the outer box. I contacted Mick right away, and he immediately ordered a replacement. It is the most reliable store in Chicago area where you can buy expensive amplifiers with confident. Thank you Mick.

Tom Nakamura   |  Nov. 25, 2023

I cannot say enough about Quintessence! The whole team, Patrick, Mick, John and Fritz! What an amazing audio shop with a team of consummate professionals!! I spent 7-8 hours listening to different speakers in the store over a couple of Saturdays. They treated me with patience and respect EVERY time I was there!! Never any sales pressure. I listened to speakers from $2,500 to $20,000. I have been audiophile for most of my adult life and I have never encountered a shop like this!! When I finally made a decision they delivered my new Dynaudios to my home in Wisconsin and invested almost 2 hours getting them set up perfectly!! They (Patrick and Fritz) were meticulous in their setup process and the difference in sound quality between the beginning and end was astounding!! All I can say is that I will be a Quintessence customer for the rest of my life!! Thank you, Quintessence!!!

-Brian B

Aloha Mick, Patrick, John, and Marko

There are no high end audio stores in Hawaii. So it is nice to be able to do business with John from Quintessence in Illinois. Over the 20 years of working with John, both in Illinois & now Hawaii, I have always gotten the best advice & service. It is no longer easy to go visit the store(something
about a 12 hour flight), so a long distance relationship, built on trust is critical

We are enjoying the new speakers so much. It was also nice that John came out to set them up. Such a big change in every nuance of music from our old ones, not to mention, they look awesome.

It was great working with Quintessence to purchase these speakers, ship them here, set them up, and care for shipping the old ones back. Altogether a
terrific experience!

Mahalo again for working with me on this.

Ken March, 2025

I cannot say enough about my purchasing experience of Sonus Faber speakers from Quintessence.  Suffice it to say Patrick and Mick made the entire experience of purchasing and set up to be a wonderful one.  My succinct advice to anyone looking for the types of products that they carry would be to simply look no further and go with them.  Having spoken with other high end audio dealers I found Quintessence to be a unique combination of product knowledge, concern for customer preferences, and appreciation of music itself.  Perhaps above anything else what impressed me was the effort and knowledge both Patrick and Mick employed to understand what I was looking for and how to best achieve that goal.  Their goal clearly was not simply to “sell” but to make sure what the customer ends up with meets the customers needs.  I couldn’t be happier and give them and Quintessence my highest recommendation.

Bob, Boyne City, MI

Incredible customer service. Knowledgeable. Something for everyone, including the best of the best. The heart wants what the heart wants. Invest in your happiness.

MB 7/10/2025

Look no further for audio. Mick, John and the whole team bring back the concept of client service in a world where it’s increasingly hard to find. John spent countless hours with me as I learned, heard, and found a system that is right for me. Mick dealt with me changing an order without qualm when a property purchase fell through. Their passion is clear, I love the family orientation (shoutout to Patrick and Fritz) and overall cannot recommend this place enough. My system was delivered a couple weeks ago and I’ve been elated ever since. Huge thanks to the team – I’ll be back!

NP   |  Jul 5th, 2025