Upscale Audio Exchange

Upscale Audio Exchange Looking for the best sounds around? Come to Upscale Audio Exchange where the vast collection of LP's, CD's, Tapes, and Audio Equipment won't let you down!

Upscale Audio Exchange opened in July, 1992, selling a unique blend of new and used audio equipment and recordings. Our new equipment carries the full factory warranty while our used gear is serviced and detailed by us and comes with our own 90-day warranty. Also, most equipment comes with our 90-day trade-back for full credit so that you may try your new toys at home. Open recordings may be exchanged for 14 days to insure you get the performance you want in the condition you want. When customers are looking for vintage equipment or hard-to-find recordings they contact Upscale Audio Exchange, for 20 years your place for fine quality at affordable prices. Now starting our 21st year!

10/11/2026

Life in retail story no. 40067
Potential customer in today, 2 items involved, deal on both, deal went south and in order to show our willingness to make it right actually offered him the one piece free.
He was totally out of line, and I felt threatened, but there were witnesses so I wasn't too worried.
Latter I was convinced by these witnesses to make a police report, so I did. Had the guys car description, license, name on CC card, etc.
The fine officer that took the report told me next time call right away, 911.
Why did I bore you with this story?
I've watched too many cop shows where a person being threatend, as I was, never reported it, but something goes wrong later?
I understand that we cannot please everyone, but we do not deserve to be physically threatened and yelled at outside in public because of some stereo gear?
Suffice to say, a refund was given and with this person on the police report he is not welcome in our store. Ever.
Otherwise, it was a good weekend!
BTW on another minor point, we are the original Upscale Audio Exchange, not the more "famous" Upscale Audio in California. We have no association with them and they opened about 2 years after we did.

09/13/2026

I'm sure I've said this before, and if you message us here at UAE via facebook you get a message that says the fastest way to get in touch with us is to call.

It's very simple: rarely do any of us have time to check the 'puter but if someone is here we can usually answer the phone.

If you prefer to type but not call, that's fine, but please don't rag at us for not responding to your emails more quickly.

Also, we don't respond to texts. Here we use email or a landline only, so text away but we will never get it.

Thanks for your kind attention to this matter and have a great weekend!

Also, for locals, Go Bears!

09/12/2026

Typical here at UAE on a fine day in Sept., with only 1 small sale, gave away an unclaimed unit, cleaned records, watched the Cubs try to lose, and all in all just a very pleasant day LOL!

09/10/2026

We bought some parts directly from a company (rather than ebay knockoffs) and they did not fit. When they asked us to fill out the customer survey we dissed them.

They then contacted us and I suggested they call, we'd give them the details. They could not get us on the phone.

People in customer service have horrible jobs, and are expecting to be abused by angry customers. However, I find that if you treat them decently, in my case with my silly sense of humor, they can usually solve your problem.

I'm sure I will get a nice phone call and we'll solve the issue, but if that doesn't happen, I will diss them publicly, just like "customers" are allowed to diss us on google, etc.

Just today's trauma LOL!

09/09/2026

So ebay is screwing us again, this time about sales tax. Short version, the first person I talked to hung up on me, and I have no idea what country I'm even talking to. I love when they say something like "this call is recorded/monitored for quality control." I usually respond with "great, we are recording it too".

Just messing with them, but they don't know, right? It just comes down to if you can actually talk to a human the service still sucks.

I understand that AI is taking over the universe, but at this point in time should there not still be some concept of customer service?

This trend is very disturbing!

08/31/2026

Hey kids, check this one out:

Immediately I follow you or like your account inbox me saying PAY ME 10,000

by Author
Upscale Audio Exchange message me on my messenger right now by saying pay me 10,000

Anyone have any idea what this crap is?

08/31/2026

Occasionally we check our reviews. Usually they are kind, but you can't please everyone. I reccomend that you read our negative reviews because they are the "best". We respond to neg reviews but feel the customer is free to express their opinions.

One of my favorites is we offered to give this person a unit free if they paid for the shipping. That means they have someone here to pick it up and take it away, free. They then called us heartless and berated us, saying something like "my wife reminded me that we bought our amp from you and we'll never deal with you again."

Problem is, he bought his amp from Upscale Audio in California, not from us, and his whole rant is so funny we used to have it printed out and hanging on our wall.

We don't expect to please every customer, but just like on ebay a "customer" is someone who buys something from us, not someone who buys nothing but just wants to diss us.

Just sayin'.

And the vintage hits keep on rolling. Just serviced and detailed, Marantz 2215 and harman/kardon 330C, both sweet!
08/21/2026

And the vintage hits keep on rolling. Just serviced and detailed, Marantz 2215 and harman/kardon 330C, both sweet!

08/14/2026

I was not initially impressed with the VPI shown here, but after a few tweaks and the new AT cart. I have become a fan. I listened to some fave Todd Rungren lp's and they were "bright" or "aggressive" in the mix, which was what I've always expected, but with the VPI/AT combo they were wonderfully aggressive, not harsh or overbearing at all.
It's true as I get older that a certain amount of high-end loss in my hearing may account for this, but in this case I don't think so. Transients were clear and tight, and the AT is not even broken in yet.
All in all, very pleased with the outcome.

Another 2 classics just in, VPI Traveler, and Project.
08/12/2026

Another 2 classics just in, VPI Traveler, and Project.

Address

345 E. Burlington Street , Suite C2
Riverside, IL
60546

Opening Hours

Thursday 5:30pm - 9pm
Saturday 10:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Upscale Audio Exchange posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Upscale Audio Exchange:

Shortcuts

Share

Category