Berkeley Stereo

Caution: If you love music or appreciate high-​quality tech gadgetry curated from someone that really loves what he does, avoid this place at all costs. For those looking to gain knowledge on the audiophile space while enjoying some demos in a unpretentious environment, this is your hidden Berkeley gem.
From Marantz to McIntosh, B&W to KEF, there’s an eclectic selection of vintage and new, put together in interesting combinations, all affecting the beautiful output that is music to your ears. You’ll hear terms like ‘soundstage’ and ‘warmth’ and ‘midrange.’ After all, this is a store that caters to the original analog turntable, digital sources come second (but still, they offer a nice hand-​picked selection of Bluetooth amps).
Every weekend, I look forward to stopping by to see what new combination Warren has come up with, and the day when I can actually afford that beautiful tube amp and speaker combination, it’s certainly a no-​brainer where my funds will be going.

After I found Berkeley Stereo I began to regret all the years I spent wandering in the audio wilderness, buying stereo equipment online and relying on reviews written on audiophile forums. The retail space is cozy and boasts a remarkably well curated collection of new and vintage equipment. It is a great place to listen and compare speakers, amplifiers, and turntables side-​by-​side.
Warren, the proprietor of Berkeley Stereo, is warm and funny and knows an enormous amount about home audio. Surprisingly, he is also committed to the idea that great sound does not have to cost a lot of money. He has, for example, amassed a remarkable collection of overlooked and underappreciated speakers that look and sound great but do not require you to take out a second mortgage.
I bought a vintage Marantz turntable on my first visit but I cannot stop thinking about the sound of those beautiful little, Chinese-​made tube amps. You know, the ones with the Russian tubes…