Whatever happened to a record label called Audio Fidelity? They used
to be on West 57th St. in NYC in the 70's.  Are they still in
business?  Did another label buy them out?  I can pay $3.00.

Hello bluestreak,

I have not heard from the person I contacted, but as you have
requested, I will give you the information I have.

The author of the following post indicates that the Audio Fidelity
label disappeared around 1987.

"Audio Fidelity Label collectors", post by Donald Reichle on
<rec.music.collecting.vinyl> (1998/06/01)
Google Groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=author:dwreich%40home.com&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&selm=357216CC.7D8A4AD3%40home.com

Another post, which correctly identifies the founder of Audio Fidelity
as Sid Frey, states that the label is "out of business."

"Audio Fidelity Record Label", thread on <rec.audio.opinion> (Jan.
14-15, 1998)
Google Groups
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&threadm=34BD56AB.25AA%40swbell.net&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26safe%3Doff%26selm%3D34BD56AB.25AA%2540swbell.net

Two web pages refer to a collection of Audio Fidelity memorabilia
possessed by the daughter of the founder.  I could be wrong, but I
assume that such a collection implies that the label ended with the
death of the founder.

"[Exotica] Any ideas, anyone?" (27 May 2002)
The Exotica Archive
mailman.xmission.com Mailing Lists
http://mailman.xmission.com/pipermail/exotica/2002-May/003863.html

"Topic: Audio Fidelity, Sid Frey, 770 11th Avenue" (posted April 02 to
May 22, 2002)
Gotham Center Forums
http://www.gothamcenter.org/discussion/ubb/Forum32/HTML/000045.html

As implied by my comment, this evidence leads me to believe -- but
does not make me completely certain -- that Audio Fidelity is not in
business and was not purchased by another label.  I hope that the
information I found is useful to you, even if not 100% definitive.  I
will let you know if I get a response to my e-mail.

- justaskscott


Search terms used on Google and Google Groups:

"audio fidelity" "770 11th"
"audio fidelity" frey

---

Clarification of Answer by justaskscott-ga on 12 Dec 2002 07:00 PST

Update: Today I received a reply from the daughter of Sidney Frey. 
She stated that Mr. Frey was "the founder and president.  He sold the
company around 1965 and retired.  It was sold to a man named Herman
Gimbel, and I don't know too much about what happened at the company
after that."  She also noted that, sadly, Mr. Frey died young in 1968.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Thank you Justaskscott for such a thorough answer! I might now be able
to email the daughter of Sid Frey and asky her further questions. A
very very well- researched question. Excellent work!

I found another address:

Audio Fidelity, Inc.
770 Eleventh Avenue
New York, NY 

http://www.collectable-records.ru/labels/A_D/AUDIO%20FIDELITY/1.htm

I'm almost positive that the label went out of business and was not
bought out.  I've contacted someone who should know for certain.  (I
may not be able to give out information on who this person is, since
the person is a private individual.  But I can assure you that I will
pass along the information exactly as I receive it, if I do get a
response.  Maybe I'll be able to figure out a way to confirm for you
that this information is correct.)

Justaskscott,                                                         
         I would be most appreciative of that information and would
close the question in that event with a tip. Thank you so much for
whatever you can come up with. Bluestreak

Dear Justaskscott,                                                    
         After going through all of your findings, I would say that my
question has been anwered most comprehensively. And I thank you for
your most excellent researching skills. You really dug. Could you
please post your last comment as an answer? I feel you have closed
this question nicely.

Hi bluestreak,

Thank you for your praise.  I'm glad to hear that you like the answer.

I'm not sure what you mean by posting my "last comment as an answer". 
Is there something else that you think should go in the answer space
in addition to what I've posted already?

- justaskscott

Very, very beautiful work, Justaskscott. I admire your thoroughness
immemsely. I live for details and your work accomadates that urge very
nicely. Thank you so much for such superior tenacity.  bluestreak