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Used Record Stores & Audio Gear in NYC

Hi I'll be visiting NYC at the end of the month. Staying at the Sheraton (I think). The hotel is beside/behind the site of the former World Trade Center.

Anyone in NYC know of a good used record store that I should check out. A large variety of music would be preferable. However, I primarily listen to and am looking for alternative rock (Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc), American hardcore, old school hip hop (Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, Guru Jazzmatazz, Beastie Boys etc), Blues, and funk.

And of course, classic good ole rock and roll. But I can find those almost anywhere.

Are the record shops found in an "area" or are they spread out over the 5 boroughs.

As well, any must-go-to Audio stores. Mostly interested in used gear, especially analog and speakers.

I only have a day, so any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
elf73
overhang
199 posts
 
Hold on a minute,there is no high-end audio in J&R,not even used.There is no even mid-fi audio equipment there.Why in a world are you reccomending it?I doubt that Elf73 wants to look at a couple of Cerwin Vegas with a chipped side or your basic home theater JBL or Mission.There is some selection of used high-end in Sound by Singer (16th str & 6 ave)but they will never admit they sell used gear .They will offer it as demo at a little discount.
Record stores to visit: Other Music (Broadway & East 4th)-they sell what you like,Kim's Video on St.Marks between 3rd &2nd ave (second floor has lots of vinyl in great variety),Academy music (East 10 street between Broadway and 3rd avenue-you'll definetly like it)sells only vinyl.All these stores are 3-5 minutes apart from each other.While you are at Kim's,cross over to the opposite side and walk to your right and you'll see Rocket Scientist,a good record store for Prog/Psych which also sells stuff like Kraftwerk and Residents and a bunch of rare grooves.A lot of hard to find imports in there.
While you are in Other Music,check out In Living Stereo on the same block,a little high end audio store with very friendly people.
All of the above (except Sound by Singer,which is another 10-15 min.walk further up Broadway)is about 20 minute walk up Broadway from where you will be staying.Considering that you will pass J&R on your right side,take a look and keep on walking,but i would bypass it altogether.
fivetable
7 posts
 
There is a good shop on west 72nd street. It used to be called "Gryphon" but changed it's name to "72nd Street Records". It's between Broadway and West End Avenue on the north side of the street. They have a window display of records and books, all used.
FiveTable
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,804 posts
 
Hi Elf:

I don't know of any shop for used hifi audio gear in NYC that is worth a visit. The shops with the best gear: Sound by Singer (Union Square Area), In Living Stereo (Village), Innovative, Stereo Exchange ... sell new. Harveys is only worth a visit if you are into HT and want to drop 40K, otherwise they won't even spend the time on you. J&R Music unfortunately is a joke when it comes to hifi gear ... not even decent mid-fi gear. It bothers me to say this as I have lived in NYC all my life (50 years). I used to be able to walk into a dealer and buy a piece of equipment with a decent discount. It all stopped when hifi stopped being a popular hobby.

Regards, Rich
overhang
199 posts
 
Hey Tiger,Stereo Exchange no longer sells used gear.They made a switch to home theatre around the year 2000.I miss their large section in the back where they sold equipment on the left and speakers on the right side.Actually,the high end minded people from old SE formed In Living Stereo in a place that i believe,was the original Stereo Exchange in the 70s.
elf73 OP
104 posts
 
Awesome, thanks guys. A lot of help. I've always wanted to go see/check out Greenwich village. Only been to NY once before and I took the double decker bus tour.. a great way to see other major cities in the world by the way... I love being a tourist in New York City. Wicked...

About the audio stores, I had a feeling that would be the case. And to be completely honest, as I am just an average working stiff, I doubt I would have bought anything because of the variety of gear and deals on Audiogon and Canuck Audio. I'll go to the MET or Guggenheim instead.

I just got back from London. It was pretty short notice, and I didn't do much research, so this is by no means an authoritative opinion, but I checked out a couple of used record stores briefly, and it's pretty pricey. Compared to Canada anyways, and the records are in terrible condition.

Did go to Virgin Mega Store (it's called something else now) and bought some cool old school funk and reggae compilations.. but I'm sure you have all this and more in NYC...

Thanks again everyone.

And because of the dollar, we're no longer like Mexico to you guys, but if you have a chance, Vancouver in the summer is worth checking out... cheapest quality sushi in the world. Very good looking women too, I can't get any but you guys might have better luck...

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