Your three favorite audio dealerships?

I just found this thread, and as they say better late than never! This is an easy question for me to answer: Walter Davies, before he started the Last Company with his record preservation products, had a retail Hi-Fi shop in Livermore, CA, named Audio Arts. I happened to pay my first visit to his place on the day Bill Johnson was there, bringing a full system with him to start Walt off as an Audio Research dealer. Thorens 125 with a prototype ARC arm that never went into production, with a Decca Blue mounted on it. An SP-3 pre-amp, and D-51 and D-75 power amps bi-amping Magneplanar Tympani I-U's. Let me tell you, in 1972 that was something to hear! Walt is the nicest, most kind and gentle soul you could ever know.
Next up, a guy who has already been mentioned---Brooks Berdan. He started out as my S. California dealer, and became a friend. Quite a guy, who did not suffer fools gladly. Honest to a fault, he could come off as brusque, and often did! A really trained set of ears, he could suss out a product faster than anyone else I've known. He is greatly missed by all of us here, but his son has a new shop in Pasadena to carry on what his Pa taught him---Audio Elements.
Lastly, Randy at Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica. A loooong-time ARC/Vandersteen/Audioquest dealer, and as sweet and honest as they come.

Taters, have you visited Brian Berdan's shop in Pasadena, Audio Elements, yet? He was trained by Brooks (his Pa) his whole life, and took many of the BB Ltd. accounts (Wilson, VTL) with him to his new place.

I can tell you why, Taters: Brooks left behind a widow, Sheila Berdan---Brian's mother, and she and Brian couldn't come to an economic arrangement for the shop that worked for both of them. Brian left to start Audio Element in Pasadena, taking with him some important lines (Wilson, VTL), as well as his expertise (years of training by Brooks) and reputation, not to mention some BBL clints. Sheila took over the old store, keeping on the old staff (some great guys), and bringing in some good new lines. They are both worthy of patronage.

I can tell you why, Taters: Brooks left behind a widow, Sheila Berdan---Brian's mother, and she and Brian couldn't come to an economic arrangement for the shop that worked for both of them. Brian left to start Audio Element in Pasadena, taking with him some important lines (Wilson, VTL), as well as his expertise (years of training by Brooks) and reputation, not to mention some BBL clients. Sheila took over the old store, keeping on the old staff (some great guys), and bringing in some good new lines. They are both worthy of patronage.

Excellent! The shop also still has a great tech in Tom, who's in on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tom did all the diagnostic and repair work for Brooks, and does the same for Sheila. Tell him Eric says hey!

I don't know about audio shops in Austin jafant, but Rythmik Audio, maker of great subwoofers, is. So is Cornell Hurd and his band, a Western Swing/Hard Country singer/songwriter friend of mine. Go see and hear him some time!