An audiophile in Chicago .....


I have all day Wednesday to myself before a two day meeting in Chicago.
Any recommended audio shops or music stores ? I'd love to find some great blues on vinyl and/or listen to some wonderful high end gear. Where should I go ?
adam18
This post is from 2006:

04-10-06: Dweller
The tour:

Goto Clark street and Diversy.
Start at Saturday Audio Exchange (open on Saturday and Thursday night only). They are just north of Diversy on Clark. They don't have that much high-class merch but sometimes they do.

Next, go out the door (of SAE) to Clark St.
Go South about 1 mile to Pro Musica i.e., "Naim Country" (across the street from Tower Records -score!).

Next, go out to Clark St. again and go south 1/2 mile to Paul Heath Audio (MBL dealer).
Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo across the street.

After the petting zoo, go back to Clark St. and go south again about 2-3 miles to Audio Consultants (not their best store but on the tour).

After, go south a few blocks on Clark to Chicago Ave. Turn right (west).
Go about 2-3 miles west to Milwaukee Ave. Turn right.
Go down a block or two to Superior Audio.
Joe G. is a true sound/music fanatic and will do you right. There is no store sign so call ahead.

Next, go outside and go south on Milwaukee to Ogden Ave (very close). Go down Ogden 1-2 miles to Karen St. (just past the train trestle).
Go right about 1/3 mile.
This is Music Direct.
Again, no sign so know where you're going and ring the bell.

Next, Next? What are you? Some kind of fanatic?

There is (was?) a Red Rose store pretty close to Chicago Ave. and State street I believe if you've got to have more.

Yes you can go to Barrington to Brian's house.
It is a long drive (an hour or more depending on traffic).
Holm is also a long drive from downtown Chicago but a pretty cool store.

The Chicago Audiophile meetings are always good and sport the nicest guys in Chicago area (Brian used to be president).

The "tour" is all from memory so do your home work as far as addresses and to find out if store(s) are still there (I haven't been there in a few years).

Go Cubs!

Dweller (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Yes, MusicDirect has moved and I'm not sure Essential Audio is still there. This is a good start...
Essential Audio is in the burbs but worth a visit. Lots of great equipment and vinyl. You might want to look up Tweak Studio as well who I think are in the city.
Yes Tweak Studio is downtown. It's on East Wacker Drive, down by the Hyatt. They have some good stuff in their shop.
http://www.jazzmart.com/

No equipment but large selection of jazz, blues, etc. if you are downtown.