Good stores in LA

There is Audio Video Today On Beach Blvd,in Westminster, Ca. If you happen to be in the area. If not like others say, go to Brooks Berdan for Wilson ( They have Alexandrias II set up) , VTL, AR, Vandersteen and other exotic stuff. (you might see La Luce TT) Brooks and Brian are sweet hearts. Really.
Or Weinhart Designs (opposite of sweet heart, but still a good guy ;-))) is a good store to go to. ( TVAD, Weinhart designs is exactly below (1st flr) where Ambrosia' used to be (2nd flr)- in same Bldg). Digital Ear used to be a great store also. The Getty and Weinhart Designs are close by.

But like TVAD says pick a place or two and plan it other wise you will burning away your valuable time shuttling around LA freeways

If you are in to Vinyl, surely visit Amoeba.

LA Audio on Western had Wilson (Alexandria, Sophia, & Watt Puppy), VTL, Audio Research & a whole bunch of other very high end gear when I last checked. They keep all the expensive stuff upstairs, so you'll have to ask them to take you up there.
There's also Ahead Stereo on Beverly, between La Brea and Fairfax. They sometimes have interesting pieces.

Brooks Berdan, GNP and Sound Factor are all relatively close.
One can easily do all three in a few hours. I'm assuming GNP is still in Pasadena and Sound Factor is in Rosemead. I left LA in 2005. I know Brooks is still in Monrovia.

Wendell

Here's my $.02 worth - most of the high-end audio stores in L.A. went out of business (or appt. only; almost the same thing) because they got too snooty. Prices too high, service too low, and they forgot how to attrect new customers.

Here are the stores that I still visit:
1- Sound Factor in Encino. Dr. Azzhole is gone (thank God) and Murray runs the store. Good place to deal, but they mostly seem to deal in mid-fi lately. Usually lots of good junk to haggle over.
2- Shelleys in Woodland Hills. Good store and staff. Most of of their gear is not my cup of tea (Linn & Mac). Usually not a lot of used gear.
3- Upscale Audio in Upland. Great store, great prices. Hard to get an appt. Appt. only, so not a good place to just browse. Lots of used and demo gear.
4- Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. Randy is a great guy, but you had better be looking for Audio Research and Vandersteen or else. Not a lot of used gear last time I was there. Appt. only.
5- Sound Asylum in Venice. Currently my favorite store for hi-end gear. James is a great guy and he carries a lot of good brands. New, used and demo. Appt. only.
6- L.A. Audio - not my cup of tea, but I go in there occasionally. Sometimes you can snag a good deal.

I would pick a couple of stores in an area (the valley, or santa monica/venice, etc.) and spend the rest of my time looking at used vinyl.

Thanks for all the info! I will be there on business, so I have only one day to relax and go check out a few places. Again, thanks all for your thoughts / opinions!