Nice traditional bricks n mortar dealer in the L.A. area?

mcrespo71 · « **on:** 16 Mar 2005, 05:07 pm »

Hi, I'm going to a conference in L.A. in mid may. I would like visit an example of the L.A. retail high end scene- the good side. Being from NYC, I'm used to shitty treatment, but don't want to experience that in L.A.

The conference I am attending will be here:
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites
404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1710

Anywhere close to this location that is worth visiting if I decide to play a little hooky?

Michael

Mad DOg · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Mar 2005, 11:54 pm »

there might be some good audio shops to visit, but c'mon, it's LA, so i wouldn't expect the attitude to be any less rude than in NYC...

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:05 am »

I don't know of a single one. I suppose there may be one or two out there...but they are far from high profile, at least in the places I've looked.

Mad DOg · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:21 am »

Brooks Berdan, LTD. in Monrovia is a good place to check out...great audio museum...nice folks

http://www.brooksberdanltd.com/Store.htm

Ambrosia in Bel Air is another good place...a bit snooty tho...

http://www.ambrosia.com

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:25 am »

Considering where you'll be staying try here.

While I haven't been myself, I have talke to the owners several times and have reports that they are very nice people and have lots of toys.

LA Audio Video
101 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 252-0066

If you want to travel to the Westside, try Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. Look it up in the Yellow Pages or 411. Ask for Randy. You have to call ahead, by appt only.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 12:49 am »

Quote from: Mad DOg

there might be some good audio shops to visit, but c'mon, it's LA, so i wouldn't expect the attitude to be any less rude than in NYC...

Well, I've found my general experiences with people in LA to be less intense than those I deal with in NYC. I'd be surprised if there are dealers in LA that try to charge you $50 to enter the store for their "expertise" or dealers that insult your equipment on a consistent basis like 2 of NYC's finest have done to numerous victims. Maybe I'll be proven wrong in LA, but I had nice experiences in Chicago, London, and San Francisco.

Michael

JohnnyLightOn · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:15 am »

Another vote for Brooks Berdan. I haven't set foot in a high-end audio store in years, but if I did, it would be there. Brooks is a super-nice guy and also knows and loves audio.

Mad DOg · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:17 am »

Upscale Audio (courtesy pricing available to AC & LAOC Society members)
2504 Spring Terrace
Upland, CA 91784
(909) 931-9686
www.upscaleaudio.com
[email protected]
By appt only

VMPS LA CA USA/SUMMIT Audio Video (courtesy pricing available to AC & LAOC Society members)
http://www.summitaudiovideo.com
310-446-0138
800-320-6884 (order desk)
By appt only

Mad DOg · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:18 am »

Quote from: John Casler

If you want to travel to the Westside, try Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. Look it up in the Yellow Pages or 411. Ask for Randy. You have to call ahead, by appt only.

if you make it out to Optimal Enchantment, you definitely need to visit Summit Audio/Video...the owner is a really nice guy!

John Casler · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 01:26 am »

Quote from: Mad DOg

Quote from: John Casler
If you want to travel to the Westside, try Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. Look it up in the Yellow Pages or 411. Ask for Randy. You have to call ahead, by appt only.

if you make it out to Optimal Enchantment, you definitely need to visit Summit Audio/Video...the owner is a really nice guy!

Of course Michael is always welcome to stop in.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 02:24 am »

Hey, if it's not too far from where I am, I'd love to meet John. I'm not planning on buying anything, so I didn't want to waste his time, which is why I just wanted to pop in to a traditional store and look around. Thanks for the tips guys!

Michael

Mad DOg · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 02:53 am »

with no traffic, maybe about 20-25 min away from him...30-40 min to Optimal Enchantment and Ambrosia. they're all west of you...the shop John recommended is maybe 10-15 min away from you...brooks berdan will be about 30-40 min east of you...

Jon L · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Mar 2005, 04:00 am »

Quote from: John Casler

Considering where you'll be staying try here.

While I haven't been myself, I have talke to the owners several times and have reports that they are very nice people and have lots of toys.

LA Audio Video
101 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 252-0066

If you want to travel to the Westside, try Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. Look it up in the Yellow Pages or 411. Ask for Randy. You have to call ahead, by appt only.

LA Audio Video does have tons of very expensive gear. I did buy some Audio Research pre+amp from them ages ago. They carry ARc/Krell/Levinson/Wilson/B+W, etc, the usual suspects. However, all their high-end gear is on the "second floor," and they sell TV's, home appliances on the first floor. You have to ask them to take you to second floor; otherwise, you might think you are at Circuit City.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Mar 2005, 12:59 am »

Well, it's always nice to pick up a microwave with your watt puppies!

KeithR · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Mar 2005, 01:12 am »

LA Audio Video has crappola rooms, but the equipment is very nice.

Billy Kim I believe is the guy there who is really nice.

not a fan of Ambrosia--and talk about really bad rooms. There 2 channel room is all windows with no treatment. Ouch!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Apr 2005, 01:05 am »

Update- went to LA Audio Video on Western. Man, talk about low pressure- they stuck me in front of the Wilson Maxx 2's/Krell/VTL and put on a CD. Left my friend and I there for about a half hour. Very nice guys.

Thanks for the tips.

John Casler · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Apr 2005, 01:21 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71

Update- went to LA Audio Video on Western. Man, talk about low pressure- they stuck me in front of the Wilson Maxx 2's/Krell/VTL and put on a CD. Left my friend and I there for about a half hour. Very nice guys.

Thanks for the tips.

You mean you didn't buy a Washer and Dryer?