Good stores in LA

Here is a place you can have some fun with...L.A. AUDIO in Koreatown at 101 S. Western,near 1st st. South of Hollywood and West of downtown L.A. 213-252-0066 LAAUDIOVIDEO.COM
Downstairs it is mostly video-upstairs is all the audio gear and chances are they are not quite sure what they have or what it does or how it does it.That is what makes this place fun! You can see the list of companies represented on the website,but that does not mean that the gear is there.They seem very open to demos and despite the poor English skills of most who work there they are anxious to please and are far from snooty or high pressure,you just have to be persistent in your request to move some speakers around or hook up an amp.Also,i have the feeling these guys are ready to sell --so negotiate! If you want to hang and chat visit Brooks Berdan,one of the last watering holes for audiophiles in the area.A great place to go if you ever wanted to hear Wilson speakers.If you do go to Hollywood,go to Pink's on La Brea and get the best chili dog you ever stood in line for.Then you can jump over to L.A. Audio and look at some equipment,you might be there for a half hour before they notice you.Don't miss Amoeba Records on Sunset,it is the Home Depot of record stores.Also-when you see the distance between locations in the L.A. area please note that 5 miles might be a half hour in traffic,or worse!

LA Audio is the place on Western south of Beverly. Billy Kim is a great guy. They've been there for years on same location. I bough some NAD amps from them in 1989 than upgraded to Acurus couple of years later.

One of the most memorable event for me was when I helped the Kim family guard LA Audio during April 1992 riot with my only weapon at the time - set of Samurai swords. Billy's mom got shot thru her thigh... Their warehouse in south LA got wiped out. Richard (Billy's brother) had stock issue M-14 and we along with the sales guys huddled together on the rooftop ready to defend LA Audio. Police told us to evacuate later that night.

Please note that it is closed on Sunday as the owners are devoted Christians.

Ah the memories...

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Bummer, I live in LA, and after reading this thread I got depressed.

GNP Audio in Pasadena is pretty cool.., they gave me a good deal on my Audio Research PH5. Laid back and no pressure with very knowledgeable staff.
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1.Acoustic Image in Studio City- Elliot works out of his home and he actually listens to music. He has a good ear and knows what sounds good. The only downfall is he is by appointment only.

2.Brook Berdan Ltd- Brooks and his son Bryan run the shoppe and they are both very Helpful. They specialize in Analog and have a very good reputation. They are closed Sunday and Monday.

3.L.A. Audio- This is a family run business that caters to the asian market. They carry all the boutique brands. They are very low key and will not pressure you. The only problem is the people that work there speak very little english. If you speak korean You'll have a ball.

4.Optimal Enchantment- Randy features Audio Research and Vandersteen. This is not the place to go for the flavor of the month audio. This is also an appointment only store.

5.Shellys audio and video- If you like Mcintosh this is the place to go. They have over 30 pieces on display. They also carry the Magnepan line of speakers.