I bought stereo equipment from these guys almost 35 years ago, when we moved to San Francisco in…read more1990. You don't stay in business as a small retail outlet for nearly 50 years without doing something right. I'm currently in the process of upgrading to a fantasy-level McIntosh amplifier and working with Barry is just such a pleasure. I'm writing this review in advance of taking delivery of the equipment, because I don't have any concern that there will be any problems. My parents ran a successful retail music and record store in St. Louis, Missouri for over 40 years, starting in 1942. So understanding what personalized service is is built into my DNA, having watched them do it, and having worked there as a teenager. It may sound hokey, but I get a warm feeling every time I drive by that shop and think of how rare it is to deal with a business where you know people personally for decade after decade, who will always make you feel welcome when you stop in, whether you're there just to listen to amazing equipment and buy nothing, or drop tens of thousands of dollars. Thanks, Barry O'brien for carrying on a tradition that is sadly fading in our society: first-class personalized retail service, and in-depth knowledge of rarefied equipment.

I have been reaching out to Barry to come back to our home to finish a project. It's been close to…read morethree months since he was last at the house. He said he'd be back within a week. That was October. It's been one excuse after the other. And for the past 2 months we've had radio silence. So if you're looking to start a project or looking for support do yourself a favor - look elsewhere. Given the price point of these services, customer service should be worlds better.

High-end gear, low-end hospitality. I should have read the…read more1-star reviews first. They describe a specific, repeatable pattern that I experienced firsthand. I came in to audition Devialet Phantoms, intending to support a local store rather than a big-box retailer. I was immediately told demos require an appointment and a $150 fee, credited toward a purchase within a month. That unexpected barrier set a cold, unwelcoming tone from the start. The experience deteriorated completely during a demo of YG speakers paired with Goldmund amplification. I offered a neutral listening impression: the soundstage was excellent, but the bass sounded strained to me across multiple tracks. Instead of treating this as a discussion point or setup variable, Randolph (who identified himself as an owner) became defensive, questioned my "reference," and implied I didn't know what I was hearing. As a former Goldmund owner, I tried to engage technically--asking whether power delivery or buffering might be a factor. He was dismissive and uninterested in dialogue. When I clarified that I was describing my subjective experience, not asking to be convinced, the interaction became argumentative until he eventually walked out of the room. That ended any intention I had of purchasing here. In hindsight, it's entirely possible the bass character I heard reflected the voicing of the YG Sonja 3.3 speakers combined with the unforgiving nature of the Goldmund Telos 800--not a flaw, just a presentation choice. High-end audio is a relationship business built on trust and collaborative listening. This shop operates on ego and gatekeeping. If you want to be told what to hear, you'll be fine. If you expect a professional, consultative environment that respects the listener's ear, look elsewhere.

Audio Vision is an excellent resource for Hi Fi audio. These guys are great and will steer you…read moretowards the right components for your system- not necessarily the most expensive. I auditioned several floorstanding speakers with my existing amp. I ended up with an excellent set of speakers I wasn't initially looking at but worked perfectly with my system and were below budget. Win win. They have an excellent selection and are great at system matching/maximizing synergy. 5 stars. -PM

Music Lovers Audio & Video is exactly what its name promises, and Spencer Giel is exactly the kind…read moreof person you want guiding you through one of the most rewarding and dangerous journeys you can embark on as an audiophile. I came in as someone just getting into the high end audio market, surrounded by gear I could only dream about, and Spencer never once made me feel unwelcome or out of place. I've visited other stores where you can feel judged the moment you walk in based on your wallet size. That was never the case here. As someone around my age with the same passion for amazing sound without millionaire budgets, he got it immediately. He worked with me from start to finish, helping me build a system that punches well above its price point. The result was a carefully curated blend of tubes and solid state that created a synergy I didn't fully appreciate until I heard it all together. He helped me select my Paradigm Persona 5F speakers, Audio Research LS27 preamp, Parasound A21+, AudioQuest Niagara 3000, and interconnects. Each brand chosen with intention, Paradigm out of Toronto, Parasound originally based right here in San Francisco, Audio Research from Minnesota, and AudioQuest from Irvine CA. Respected names with solid reputations in the audiophile community that fit my budget without compromising on quality. Any system I was curious about I was able to audition without any pressure or hesitation. That kind of access says a lot about how they treat customers. And it doesn't stop at the sale. They helped with three moves of my audio gear, something regular movers simply are not equipped to handle with equipment this precious. They also helped connect my system which is a level of service you just don't expect from a retailer. That kind of relationship goes well beyond a transaction. The store itself is filled with incredible gear across some of the most coveted lines in the industry. McIntosh, Audio Research, Boulder, Anthem, dCS, and speakers from Paradigm, KEF, Wilson, Sonus Faber, and more. They also specialize in home theater if that's your thing. Just be warned, every visit is a little dangerous to the wallet. And don't overlook their preowned section either, it's where real bargains hide. That's how I picked up my Audio Research preamp for half its original price. This place is a "Music Lovers" dream whether you are just starting out or building your end game system. Ask for Spencer Giel, he's the real deal!

Great gear and great staff! This store has a wide selection and fantastic demo rooms. The staff are…read morevery knowledgeable and friendly. Spencer was very generous with his time and spent a good 45 minutes discussing speakers, and amplification with me. He also allowed me to demo a bunch of my favorite tracks. I will definitely be back next time I am in town!

The storefront is well-made and I had no issues with the purchasing process. However, they waited…read moremultiple days to ship out my order, and now it will not arrive on time. Do not rely on the online store if you need something fast.

Electronics and hobby stores are becoming more and more rare. It's unfair to compare with the days…read moreof Radio Shack, Circuit City or even Fry's because they just don't exist, and their demise has been for reasons most shoppers can figure out - especially whose who review places like Jameco and then say "I'll just go to Amazon next time." One less sale to a brick and mortar store. One less interaction with a human who can answer a question IRL and IRT. One missed opportunity to see and touch product for yourself. Sure you might get a sour reply. Or an agent who doesn't know a picofarad from a PC board. You might also get damaged deliveries from Amazon. Sure the return process is relatively painless, but the time spent is less productive than hammering out whatever issue it is with the store. I bought two Arduino kits from Amazon. One was damaged and couldn't be used so I searched for replacements and looked at Jameco. Their site yielded pages of replacements and alternatives. Between the selection and the descriptions, I was able to what I was looking for a a few things I didn't know I needed. Kind of like browsing at Fry's. Yes, they have minimum quantity purchases for many items. Yes, your browsing is going to be mostly online. When I went to pick up my items, the display area was basically the lobby. The person at the desk could answer some questions and "a guy in the back" could provide more detail. This is what it takes to maintain a physical retail presence for many specialty shops these days. I learned of Anchor from someone else, and I'll visit that store one day. But it's twice as far from me as Jameco, and Jameco delivered what I needed.

Most educated Hardware sales guys I met in a long time you got questions ask Adrian or William…read more They've got answers. I'll be back. Thanks guys

I highly recommend Chris and MacMurray Pacific Wholesale Hardware…read more My kitchen cabinet hinge broke off, so I spent over two weeks searching for a standard, common soft-closing cabinet hinge. I called/texted my condo's maintenance guy to see if he had extras from the times his company remodels the units in my condo building. Crickets. Then I went to Ace Hardware, Discount Builders, who referred me to Design Theory Hardware, who referred me to Home Depot, and Studio Belmont two blocks away, who referred me to MacMurray Pacific Wholesale Hardware. Jackpot! Chris was patient, actively listened, and was helpful. He was able to identify the exact hinge I needed just by picking it up and looking at it. I am not a handy person, and he patiently showed me how I would place them against the cabinet door and wall to screw them on in the same places where the holes are. YAY! I'm so happy to be done 'shopping' and no longer have to stare at the one empty spot in my kitchen now that the cabinet door is back on! FYI on easy meter parking. I went during a weekday and was able to park on the street right outside their door.

The sound system here is seriously impressive, and the atmosphere is great when the place is…read morepacked. I ended up looking into AI noise reduction and music/noise removal tools https://noisereducerai.com to clean up the recordings, including Noise Reducer AI. It was useful for reducing some of the unwanted background noise while keeping the main audio more understandable. Overall, a really fun venue if you're there for the music rather than trying to capture perfect recordings on your phone.

I walked in this summer genuinely interested in getting into analog, and left having been told I…read morewasn't the kind of customer this store sells to. The owner didn't ask what I listen to, what I own, or what I was hoping to build. He told me he typically sells to people with the "means" and the "space" for an analog setup, and that he couldn't help me. That was the whole interaction. For context: I already run a KEF LS60 system with two KC62 subwoofers. The KC62 is roughly the size of a shoebox. Neither means nor space was ever the issue, and one question would have told him that. I don't know what he was actually reacting to, and I'll never know. What I do know is that a dealer who sizes up customers on sight instead of asking them anything is bad at the job. Plenty of shops in this city will take your questions seriously. Go to one of those.

John (Owner) reached out to me and explained in detail about the issue they have been facing since…read morethe fire damage. The shop is in a very bad shape. I got my speakers back and he also returned the $150 initial diagnosis fee. Thanks John for running this business with high morals and integrity. I hope the store gets back in shape soon.

Since Yelp does ot allow users to "hate" reviews, I will respond to some of the idiotic reviews…read morehere. Yes there is a charge to look at any pice f equipment. This requires a lot of work, and this is ot a non-profit shop. I brought in several old Mcintosh vintage pieces. They needed a lot of work. One ended up costing a lot more to repair than what was estimated. They stuck to the estimate and asked if I would not mind at least paying for the additional parts needed. They basically lost money restoring an MP1-4 (look it up it is rare). they did it as a labor of love. They told me few were made and only a couple had ever come through the shop. They restored a pre-amp, tuner and power amp as well as the MP1. John explained what could and should not be done to bring these back to pristine condition. This is an honest good shop with techs who love working on vintage gear. I have to check if they are back up and running after the fire. I hope so!

I ve had great experience with MLA in the past. Graham of MLA in the East Bay would bring items…read moreout to my home and put them in my system to evaluate. Then if I I chose to I could buy or return without any obligation on my part BTW, I've done business with both stores and found their sales & service to be excellent.

Found as I walking by. Went in, it's a very nice shop! I was not looking for anything in particular…read moreand just browsed around. Employees were nice and let me look and spend some time in the shop. Can't speak to price or anything didn't inquire about anything.