It's been a few years since I was last there but I can highly recommend Stereotypes Audio, https://stereotypesaudio.com/. They have one of the largest, most interesting lineups of high-quality gear I've ever seen. I walked in on a demo of big Harbeth speakers driven by Simaudio separates and was astonished by what I was hearing. It was one of the reasons I began buying Simaudio gear.
Echo Audio. They sell both new and used gear. The owner Kurt is one of the most ethical people I've met. He's talked me down from buying something that wouldn't improve my system more than once.
Echo Audio , great neighborhood , 2 blocks from Powell's books and great food carts , Voodoo donuts and Don and Louis Oysters . Fred's house of Music has a couple of listening rooms , also great neighborhood .
Hey now, let's keep Echo a little on the down low so that when they post cool "new" stuff on their web site it won't be gone before I get a chance to look!
The posters above have it right: Echo Audio and its neighborhood (esp. Powell's) would be a great area to spend some time; Kurt's terrific, and there are a ton of good places to eat nearby and in the adjacent Pearl and West End districts. Stereotypes is also very good, and it's next door to Nostrana which serves very good Italian food. Out in Beaverton, there's Chelsea Audio & Visual, where you can listen to your heart's content. You'll need a car to get there, but what Gertrude Stein once said about Oakland is also true for that part of Beaverton: there's no there there. Fred's House of Stereo on Hawthorne has been there a long time and is also in a fun locale.
And if all your listening gives rise to a temptation to buy, remember that there's no sales tax in Oregon. Enjoy your trip!
there are 3 good used / new Vinyl shops walking distance from Fred’s which has an eclectic mix of new and used gear, tube, SS, tonearms, electronic xovers....etc. ditto for echo....do I hear an echo for echo ? stumptown Java, Oregon Pinot, springer salmon..yum
there is also a killer used / new CD store about 3 blocks from Vodoo donuts....cant remember the name, but I always hit that....rivals but does not surpass Silver Platters in Seattle.
Thanks for the catch about Fred's, Viridian. And speaking of catch, and not to hijack the thread, but Alaska King Crab is the best, which it had better be for the price, INMNSHO.
I'll echo the vote for Echo. Kurt is both nice and knowledgeable. Fred's (on Hawthorne) has the vibe of a vintage stereo shop (circa 1960s) but a more limited selection compared to Stereotypes. Fred's is an authorized dealer for many high-end brands, but oftentimes doesn't stock "uncommon" components: Stereotypes does. Echo has the best used equipment, followed by Fred's. Regardless, all 3 are well worth a visit. No audiophile trip to Portland is complete without a visit to Music Millenium on Burnside: it's a Portland institution. There are several other records stores of note scattered throughout the city and I'd not overlook the chain, Everyday Music, as that store (on Sandy) has a huge selection of used CDs (whereas MM has a better vinyl selection).
I’ll agree with Echo, Stereotypes and Fred’s. I’ve spent hundreds if not thousands at all of them and I can vouch for their quality. As for vinyl, not only are Everyday and Music Millenium wonderful stores, but there are also smaller shops scattered throughout town worth visiting. And the wine? Oh, the wine!🥰🍷
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and down the road a piece, Chelsea Audio in Beaverton, Oregon
Entering Music Millennium in Portland Oregon is a trip; it feels like a time machine has taken you back to 1969 (the year it opened), patchouli oil and all. Some of the clerks look like they’ve been there since ’69 ;-) . MM is now selling turntables, all of them save the entry-level Music Hall junk. Lots of LPs, unfortunately all overpriced. All genres, but not much depth (only the new release of cult-level artists, not their complete catalog). Okay for a brick & mortar, but it’s sure no Amoeba (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley).
By now you have probably traveled to and returned from Portland.
Fred's Sound of Music. Old school folks there. I've known them since the '70's. One of the oldest audio stores in Portlandia. Takes a lot to survive in this business as long as they have going through the many huge changes and challenges that have come along.
Chelsea Audio, well, I bought a preamp from them 20 years ago. A suburban shop....
Echo would be ok for a look at used equip. Fred's carries some as well.
@ranchhand1 - thanks for the feedback, although you’re right, I’m already back! I really liked Echo, wish we had one in LA. And the folks at Fred’s were very nice, although their selection was more geared towards HT than music. Fun trip!
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