The Store that Brings Quality Sounds

A little store in Downtown Peoria shows what makes electronics a bit more different than what we see at any other electronic stores in the Central Illinois area. Electronics Diversified has been part of Peoria since 1948 and both co-owners Don Gort and Don Baker know that what they have to show you is something that could just blow you mind away. If you are an electronics and sounds person then this is the place for you. Electronics Diversified has been unique among other electronic stores because they have not only the state of the art electronics but also vintage equipment to some that date back to the 1930's.

One thing that makes Electronics Diversified or better known as EDI, standout has been their unusual shift in types of equipment sold. It all started in 1948, as a spin-off to an x-ray business.

"They sold equipment to hospitals around the Central Illinois area," said Don Baker. "Soon after their business was installed, some of the doctors later would ask about mono equipment to be installed into the waiting rooms and if they knew of anyone who had done this kind of service."

Only a few businesses have made such an unusual shift.

Another difference has been their quality of sounds. They have sold mid-fi to higher end monos and store equipment for years. From solid state to high-bird and all tube integrated amplifiers, amplifiers and preamplifiers and also CD players with tube output that co smooth out the loudness. With that they have in store, from old to new electronics it could blow you away even some of those at Best Buy.

Other things that also make the store tick are their resurgence of vinyl and turntables that has surprised many young folks these days.

"Young people would come in to the store and we will be playing a turntable and they just couldn't believe the smoothness and dynamics they are hearing," said Gort stating on how young people's reaction to listening to vinyl records on turntables."

Both Gort and Baker advised to those who want to have a turntable is that they have to take care of their albums in a way that you don't have any pops or clicks that's caused by dirt. The prices for these turntables go up from $125.00 to $5,000 and higher end turntables do not come any with cartridges.

They stated that if you want to buy one, that would ranged from $29.95 to $1,895.00 in store, $5,000 if you wish to order one at the store.

A couple by the name of Mike and Jenny Waltz, who comes to EDI frequently just to see and hear what they have in store.

"Probably the best thing is that they sell vintage equipment that no one else sells," says Mike Waltz, who just loves vintages pieces.

Clearly these vintage equipment make EDI unique among other electronic stores.

Now, you've probably are thinking that, "so what? It's just like Best Buy or Wal-Mart." But not so fast, because that's not what it's all that's crack up to be at all. There's a huge difference between those stores and that of EDI.

EDI is a unique product of buiness, with services and commitment to that of the customer satisfaction.

"They help those of the common guy and they know a lot about it," said Jenny Waltz.

Another costumer gave his point of view very clear about EDI.

"They one thing that EDI is different than any other place is that they don't sell crap and they take the time to help the costumers with questions they have," stated by Scott Turner of Indianapolis, IN who comes to the store a couple of times just to see what they have in store.

For what EDI has in store is something that nothing can over beat to any other store in Central Illinois.

Just before the start of 2010, both Gort and Baker decided that it was time for a change and a changed they have made. After being located on Brandywine Drive in North Peoria, just across from Northwoods Mall for over 30 years and on January 2010, they've moved to Downtown on the first floor of the Murray Building on the corner of Walnut and Water Street or for a better reference off of Washington Street across from the Peoria Police Station.

With the new place it almost feels like you are in a studio waiting to hear a band play. It's become a place where friends who are mostly guys that love to hear great sound quality that comes from one of your own music and to also hear some stories as well.

Since opening in 1948, EDI has been installing, repairing and given excellence in customer service advice for over 60 years and still gives us that sound that we could all love to enjoy. And both "The Dons," as they are called, are enjoying what they do and what they give to their fellow customers.

If you are looking to hear great sound out of your own music, then Electronics Diversified is the place for all that to happen.