Video may have killed the radio star, but turntables are here to stay!
Fernando Zorrilla certainly knows about the sound of vinyl. As the owner and operator of Skyfi Audio in Glen Rock, he specializes in the purchase, reconditioning, and reselling of high-end audio equipment. Each piece is cosmetically restored and tested for sound and functionality in his lab to meet or exceed the original manufacturer’s specifications. Fernando focuses on analog, high-quality American and European-built units.
“I’ve been into hi-fi since I was 7 or 8 years old,” he says. “I grew up in Spain, and my dad owned some nightclubs and pubs. I loved working on the sound systems.” An electrical engineer by trade and consummate entrepreneur, Fernando worked at several large corporations before founding a few of his own companies, including Skyfi.
“Turntables bring everyone back to their heyday,” he says. “We restore vintage high-end turntables and stereo equipment and modernize them so that they are more reliable to fit the needs of today’s customers.”
Once Fernando acquires a piece of equipment, he meticulously restores it far beyond its original beauty and function. He stocks brands like McIntosh, Marantz, Luxman, and JBL, along with quintessential vintage turntables from Thorens and Garrard dating from the 1960s – 1980s. He builds casings for the units from fine woods including mahogany, teak, oak, and rosewood, and selects custom fabrics as speaker coverings to complement the entire grouping.
“One client sent me a photo of an empty room with a piece of artwork hanging on the wall. He wanted me to create a cool hi-fi system to reside underneath the painting,” says Fernando.
The resurgence of the turntable and interest in component design to include both all-in-one receivers and separate components is turning up the volume for music lovers who appreciate great sound and functionality combined with beautiful design aesthetics.
The vintage pieces harken back to a time when a family may have taken out a loan to buy a hi-fi console. “There were fewer forms of entertainment available 40-50 years ago, and the stereo was a central piece of the living room, where family and friends would sit together to enjoy a favorite record. My customers want turntables and beautiful components to enjoy with their friends, hang out, and pour a glass of wine. We reconnect when we sit with company and share music. Although convenient, the iPhone made us lose that relationship between the listener, the artist, the music, and the album itself,” remarks Fernando.
True to the store’s tagline, “rediscover hi-fi,” vinyl sales have been trending upward in recent years, and manufacturers are bringing equipment out of retirement to press records once again. Reel-to-reel tapes are also making a come-back with some esoteric albums going for as much as $500.
“COVID has presented a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with music,” says Fernando, “my daughter suggested that we put a turntable in the dining room and listen to it while we eat dinner. We take turns selecting what record we will listen to each night. Sharing music together creates a wonderful lifestyle.”
Catch you on the B side!
skyfiaudio.com