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Over lunch, Vinnie told me how he left the corporate world in January 2005 and officially started Red Wine Audio In February 2005. In the beginning, he offered mods to various products. Currently, the only mod is the iMod, which has been going strong since the fall of 2005. [Mr. Rossi senior below.]



Vinnie is not one to design and run his business in a vacuum. He keeps tabs on customer satisfaction and feedback through his sponsored forum on Audio Circle. He is obviously an open-minded and receptive guy - one who can adapt to a changing marketplace and keep on top of trends. This is why he has such loyal customers. It was a true pleasure visiting Red Wine Audio. Vinnie is a gracious host and seems to instill an upbeat atmosphere in the factory for his employees. This is the type of operation that deserves to thrive. And does.
Vinnie graciously took some time to answer questions I had about his background and his audio philosophies:


What is your academic training?


Vinnie: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.


Where do you think the audio industry stands now, as far as two-channel audio?


Vinnie: I believe two channel audio is alive and well. In the last few years, we have seen a boom in computer audio (music servers, wireless transports, USB dacs, etc.) as well as a big vinyl comeback. Now is a really exciting time to be part of the industry as a designer and manufacturer and as a consumer!


Do you believe that products should be priced based on a traditional formula of parts cost multiplied by a constant, or do you believe products should be priced based on their relative sonic performance in relation to competitor prices in the marketplace?


Vinnie: I say both of these need to be taken into consideration when pricing a product.


Have you ever owned tube audio equipment?


Vinnie: Yes, and this has included tubed gear in the form of kits as well as from manufacturers (preamps and power amps). Currently, the only piece of tube gear that I own is our Red Wine Audio Isabella line stage preamplifier.


How much do you try to listen to competitor's products to ensure your place in the market?


Vinnie: While I like to listen to competitors' products to better understand what people (reviewers and customers) like and dislike about them, I do not obsess over it. I have a very clear vision in my mind of what I want Red Wine Audio products to look like, feel like, and most importantly, sound like. There is always going to be competition (products that serve a similar function and that are in the same price range), but this is what pushes me to offer the next Red Wine Audio product that performs well beyond its price point. I believe that our latest design, the Isabella, is a perfect example.

How much has your business increased since Srajan's favorable review?