Audiophile RecordsShops in London

I was in Lambs Conduit Street the other day and noticed that The Cube is no more. They have closed after a rather short time.

If you use the search facility in the Music Room section of this forum you should find one or two threads listing the better London record shops.

I must admit that I either buy vinyl over the internet - usually Diverse Vinyl - or I pop into Graham's Hi-Fi in north London which is beside Islington. Their main thing is Hi-Fi (as the name implies!) and they are one of the largest Naim suppliers in the UK. Could therefore be an expensive trip!!

Peter

Hi FPB

It does depend what type(s) of music you are into, but in my humble opinion a trip to London would not be complete without a visit to Rough Trade East

They stock a diverse range of CDs and vinyl. They don't specialise in "Audiophile" recordings if that's what you're after but their in-house shop system is Naim CDS3/555PS 282/300 (I think) with PMC speakers. There are also Naim CD5i players with Headlines available for customer use to listen to any CDs you want and Technics turntables for vinyl.

Check out the website and if you time it right you may even get to see a good in-store performance as well.

I also like Pure Groove Records in Farringdon.

Have a good trip!

Steeve

Dears Northpole and Sleeve,

Thanh you very mutch for your prompt reply. Your help and opinions are very useful. My favourite music is Classic, Barouque specially XVII and XVIII Century, Mozart, Bach and Haendel are a unic men criation. Meanwhile a few years ago, maybe a 5 or 6 years the Jazz, Folk, and some country musicians specially Audiophile Recordings like ''Hans Theesink'' and others are the my favourites at the moment.

I promisse the my trip at London the first visit is a Rough Trade and Pure Groove Records.

A i have amany years ago at London, my last trip at London dated from September 1991, and visit the Tower Records, No more exists from 2006 or 2007 i believe.

About the diverse vinyl, i suppose that not phisically shop, its only sale by net.

Thank you for all support.

P.S.: The PMC are the great speakers. Naim too, in amplification i belive.

For classical, you should visit Harold Moores in Great Marlborough Street which is close to Berwick Street in Soho. Berwick Street couldn't be accused of being audiophile but there are a still a fair few specialist and second hand record stores - worth a browse with a bit of street colour thrown in! And for jazz, Ray's Jazz, now above Foyles in Charing Cross Road. Doesn't have mountains of vinyl and not cheap but nice browsing - and a coffee shop.

Diverse Vinyl is online but I think they attend the main hifi shows in the UK. Good service.

Enjoy!

Oh, and Fopp in Earlham St is still open (or open again - not sure). Again, not audiophile but cheap-ish and occasionally has some interesting vinyl.

Though not exactly audiophile the best places for vinyl in central London are around Berwick St in Soho, Sister Ray, Sounds Of The Universe, Tape & Record Exchange, Revival records, Phonica, Harold Moores, and you should be able to buy all genres amongst these shops if you need more specific directions when you get to London just ask a Motorcycle Courier we are a friendly and a knowledgeable bunch



Dean..

Hi,

Thank you once again, for your help ( Pigeon and Whizzkid, Steeve, and northpole )also

The stores to visit in Juin are:
Rough Trade;
Pure Groove Records;
Harold Moores;
Fopp;
Ray in Foyles

In fact the Audiophile recordings are not easy to find at the usual record shops, only and some Audio/Hi-Fi Specialists Shops find-it.
Meanwhile in these stores above ,mentioned have many music for me, and the choose are great.

Kind Regards for your support.

Not really any shops that specialise exclusively in 'audiophile' recordings (e.g. ECM and Linn). However shops mentioned so far are good.

Berwick street not quite what it was when it was photographed for Oasis's Morning Glory album, but still worth a look. Also look at the two record shops in nearby Hanway Street. This street links the east end of Oxford St with Tottenham Court Rd.

Flashback records in Essex Rd, Islington is good. Comprehensive selection (jazz, world, folk, reggae & rock) at good prices.

Also worth checking out Alan's Records 218 High Rd, East Finchley (Northern line on the underground). The absolute classic retro record shop.

Also for check out the Music and Video Exchange shops at Notting Hill Gate. Good shop that only sells classical lp's

Some great tips here for my next visit.

Hi everybody,

I appreciatte very mutch the help users to find me the best record shops in my trip at London.

Munch, it's possible to give me any reference underground near Grahams?

Please note at moment our previously hotel are in Victoria area, not definetly but i hope until next Juin.

Warwick, about Alans Records in Northern line, is very far from Victoria? Sorry for the question.

Kind Regards everybody

Hi, Highbury & Islington is the nearest tube
station to Grahams. Fortunately it is on the Victoria line. It's a 20 minute walk from the shop so best to get the 271 bus from the station. Address is

Grahams Hi-fi
Canonbury Yard,
190a New North Road
London, N1 7BS, UK

Alan's records is more like the shop in the Nick Hornby novel & film High Fidelity than any other that I've been in. It is NOT close to Victoria, but is one of the best in London. It is in north London. Get the Victoria Line then change to the Northern Line at Warren St or Euston station. Get the northern line branch that goes to High Barnet. Alan's record shop is a 10 minute walk left in a northerly direction from East Finchley Station.
Alan' Records 218 High Road, East Finchley, London. N2 9AY
www.alansrecords.com

Please check out the record shop day thread in this forum. I actually prefer the original Rough Trade shop in Notting Hill to the newer cappuccino serving shop in the East. The original shop is on Talbot Rd, just off the middle of Portobello Rd, down the hill a bit from junction with Elgin Crescent. Yes the area does look like the area portrayed in the movie
Notting Hill. Address: 130 Talbot Road London W11 1JA. Rough Trade have a website. It's easy to find on an internet search engine.

Honest Jon's Record's further on down Portobello Rd (passed the railway bridge) is also worth checking out. Best day to go to the Portobello Rd area is Saturday when the market is on. There will be stalls selling records too.

Yes Ray's jazz record shop on the 3rd floor of Foyles Book shop in Charing Cross Rd ( 10 minute walk from shops in Berwick St) is worth going to. Fopp is only a few minutes walk from there. As you may well be in the area it's worth checking out Cheapo Cheapo Records at 53 Rupert St W1D 7PH. Ok, not a top shop, but as it's only a 5 minute walk down from Berwick St, you might as well pop in. I guess it would be a good idea to ask record store staff in e.g. Berwick St for recommendations for other record shops in London.

Check out the journey planner at www.tfl.gov.uk
Also check out google maps or multimap website. Just enter relevant post codes.

Keep spinning

Hi warwick,

Your detail's explanation for my trip at London to visist record shops is perfect, better onnly GPS.


Thank you very mutch for your kindness
Fernando

I went past Alan's Records today about midday and he was closed so I'd check opening times before going and I agree with warwick on the Nick Hornby reference and second that Flashback records is worth a look its my favorite record shop and has Haggle Vinyl just up the road on Essex rd as well. Also Boogaloo On Broadway on Dawes Rd, SW6, just up from Fulham Broadway is worth a look Thursday to Sunday opening and if anyone is near Beckenham in Kent, Wanted Music has a massive collection of Vinyl and CD's to browse through. And lastly those who like a bit of 60's & 70's stuff try Sounds Original on the South Ealing road they have a cracking selection.

Wanted Music

Sounds Original

Retrobloke

Boogaloo On Broadway

Flashback

Record Junkie


Just for reference to others.



Dean...

Hi Whizzkid,

I'm looking and visit yours web pages records shops, and all are very, very nice. Retrobloke it's in London, Hendon ( Underground Station, but i c'ant found ) My Hotel probably, not sure, but is near to Victoria Station.
From Victoria to Hendon it's very far?

Thank you for your help and support, better thanks of all forum Naim community.

Kind Regards
Fernando