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Armadillo Music

4.5 (101 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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Kiki D.

I was nervous about getting into vinyl because I thought I'd be treated to the snootiness of John Cusack a la High Fidelity. The staff of Armadillo Music couldn't be more welcoming to newcomers of their passion. I started off just looking for a bossa nova album as a gift, and was lucky enough that they had Getz/Gilberto. I then did some "harmless" browsing and after finding Stop Making Sense, I had to get my own player. Unfortunately, I was foolish enough to get a udreamer off of Amazon and everything sounded awful. When I came into five giant storage bins of a punk and new wave collection, I knew I had to invest in better equipment. Once again, the staff was so enthusiastically helpful. They explained to me why built in speakers ruined the sound, helped me to my car with my new equipment, and told me "Enjoy the journey" as I left. I'm hooked, and I'm so grateful Davis has such a knowledgeable and gracious store for newbies like me.

Exterior neon sign of the building
Donovan H.

It seems as if music stores are a dying breed these days. Since the days of vinyl records, 8-tracks, cassette tapes, and finally compact discs, the majority of the population seems to stream music on their phones. Whether it is Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, etc., not being able to physically feel a piece of music seems like it is now a thing of the past. Fortunately, "Armadillo Music" has a TON of music available for sale in all formats. And I am a HUGE music fan of all genres; I presently own well over 800 CD's and 100 vinyl records that I've purchased dating back to the 1980's. Located directly on F St. and in between 2nd and 3rd St's in the heart of downtown Davis, Armadillo Music has been a staple store here for several decades. There was once a time when other bigger retailers were operating, especially "Tower Records", "Sam Goody", and "Virgin Megastore", all of which are now defunct. However, this place survived and with the resurgence of vinyl in recent years, this place has quite the followers of new and existing customers. I came here during the afternoon of Saturday 6/24/2023 at around 1:30pm. It was quite busy during my visit as this place was packed with music customers including myself. Inside, you will witness a vinyl listening station complete with headphones. Sometimes, there is nothing better than putting a needle on a 33 1/3 or 45 record and listening to that scratchy sound. And if you are in the mood for a cold drink, this place actually offers 6 different beers on tap! And this is from open to close! If you make ANY music purchase, they'll knock off $1 on a cold beer! Now onto the music itself; there are thousands upon thousands of records from all different decades. This includes, rock, soul, jazz, blues, reggae, country, hip-hop, world music, trance, techno, disco, bluegrass, folk, classical; well you get the idea. And this place sells used as well as new records. I also saw a very sizable amount of compact discs with prices that range from $0.99 up to $12.99 for a single CD. Additionally, they sell a fairly decent selection of cassettes and even 8-tracks! Talk about a blast to the past. In addition to their music, there is also quite a bit of posters representing a varied selection of artists/groups. And if you need a good receiver/stereo system, there are also full entertainment centers with big brands including Onkyo, Pioneer, Denon, and Yamaha. Some of the miscellaneous items they sell are t-shirts, pins, stickers, and even incense. I've got to say this place reminds me of when I lived in the Bay Area and frequented Amoeba and Rasputin. All in all, "Armadillo Music" is an excellent store to check out if you're a music fanatic like myself. They have generous hours of operation; Monday-Wednesday 10am-8pm, Thursday-Saturday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 11am-7pm. they are a buy-sell-trade business so if you have music you want to get rid of, this is the place to come. Finally, their website, https://armadillomusic.com offers up-to-date information on new releases as well as concerts and events in the Davis area as well as Sacramento and Bay Area. With that said and done, this place deserves a unanimous five-star rating.

I pre-ordered Deftones new album and they set aside a poster for me

This is my all-time favorite music store! Great deals, everyone who works there is so nice, and an amazing selection. I have been here so many times over the past few years, but kept forgetting to leave a review!

listening station (there's 2!)
Bridgétt R.

NOSTALGIC! This is more than nostalgic though. Armadillo is a Davis namesake. Since I was in high school this was *the* place to go for *true* music lovers. What I appreciate about this place is that they always have the classics and now have a much more expanded section of new music. Seems like the college kids love it! Most recently they have a little "listening section" in the store which is super cute and a cool offering. (See pics) They now also have a mini drink area where you can enjoy the vinyl store atmosphere while having a sip with your friends!! (See pics) This last year they ordered my fav album for me on Vinyl, it was there within a week. They gave me a call to pick it up and made the process super easy. They also sell stereo equipment (see pics) I love that they have a Davis is For Everyone sign! Makes me feel welcome. (They are so nice too!)

Their empty record covers located outside the store.
AJ S.

I'll be upfront and honest, I'm not that huge into records, but that doesn't stop me from stopping into Armadillo Music every time I walk by. There is just something about them that draws me in. Maybe it's the great atmosphere, the super friendly staff, or maybe even both. Whatever it is they've got me hooked. The only time I usually walk away having purchased anything is when I'm shopping for someone else - let me say if you have a music enthusiast or record collector in your life this place is a goldmine for gifts. But this time around I was in fact shopping for myself. Everyday (or close to everyday) they have a table set up outside with super discounted products on it - stuff like VHS's, CD's, or whatever have you - but the most exciting thing they put out for me is old record covers without the record inside. I've been having a blast going through and finding albums I recognize to bring home and hang up in my new apartment. I have maybe 9 or 10 now (a good majority of which are all Simon and Garfunkel) and I'm so excited to hang them up. And the best part is? They only cost a dollar a piece! I know for a FACT I'll be coming back next week to find more. And to top it all off, when entering today I was asked to sanitize my hands - which seems like a small thing - but in a place like a record store where everyone is thumbing through all the stock, I feel far more comfortable knowing that they are taking necessary precautions. What a great store!

Solid Used Music Store!!!
Bob G.

Some great finds upstairs if you are into "crate diving) about 1500 CDs await your eyeballs - check it out - I found 20 "must haves" for $20 - how can you beat that value? Great little town to buzz around in and try some local food and drink to!!!

Front
Rosmond P.

this is the place to be. This magnificent display of soulful sounds and rythmatic beats will transcend you back in time. Records bring back fond memories of jams and chill times. Once you step through the door your lost in choices. Don't know where to start then just start by looking up at the ceiling or the walls because you might get some ideas from the posters that are displayed everywhere for your viewing pleasure. Ideas will spark interest and as you will salivate excitement trying to find that love, chill, sad, mundane or happy song and album. Don't stop there because they are now setting up a bar for you to partake in some adult tasty beverages. The new bar is laced with old school players and speakers and timers which I think is the cats meow ! Even though we didn't buy much this time. We will back for more adventures up and Downstairs, can't wait!!!!!

Truth.

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10 years ago

Bryan is cool too! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (those extra !s are for yelp's weird brevity rules - come on yelp)

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The place for tickets and local music storeyness

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Ask the Community - Armadillo Music

Can I bring my French bulldog?

Yes! We love when our furry friends visit!

Can I bring my 15 pound dog in to browse the store?

Absolutely!

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Review Highlights - Armadillo Music

I've never bought vinyls before but the staff was super helpful and friendly .

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Logos Books - Polyvinyl tote bags are perfect for shopping, the beach, or carrying away your haul from Logos! They're only $5 apiece!

Logos Books

4.1(31 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

It's cool that they're run by volunteers and that supposedly all proceeds go to the Davis Library,…read morebut what threw me off was how they have a whole section dedicated to Zionism. It was the last thing I expected to see in cute ole Downtown Davis. I'd say come to Sac if you're looking for bookstores that won't make you feel weird entering. Edit: To clarify, I found it pretty disappointing that there was an entire shelf dedicated to European history, and another shelf generalized as "world history". Within the "world history" shelf, I saw a row of books specifically about Israel and Zionism, albeit not labeled as such. The only book with Palestine in the title was on display, but on the back cover it specified that it recounts the "experiences of Zionist women settling in Palestine", and not indigenous Palestinians. I scanned the shelf and didn't see a single book about Palestine, despite a fair number on Israel. Given how charged this topic is with the ongoing genocide in Gaza, I felt uncomfortable as it seemed that the bookstore had taken an intentional stance by not providing, at the very least, accounts of both sides of the matter.

Visited Logos Books for the first time a few weeks ago and it was just okay. Quite small and packed…read moreto move around when crowded. The one thing that I did like was how the proceeds go to the Davis Public Library. It's located in downtown Davis and was nice to walk around to the shops as well.

Photos
Logos Books - $1 books

$1 books

Logos Books - Storefront facing Second Street

Storefront facing Second Street

Logos Books - Follow Logos Books on Instagram!

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Follow Logos Books on Instagram!

Music Lovers Audio & Video - Pure audio synergy!

Music Lovers Audio & Video

4.4(73 reviews)
64.5 miLower Pacific Heights
$$$$

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!

Short version: 5…read morestars. Best of class in San Francisco for people who love music. Go there for good gear selection, good conditions to try stuff, honest expert opinions (that will challenge you), and professional service. Long version: I have been shopping at the San Francisco location for close to a decade now. Over that period, I bought three or four pairs of headsets, a turntable, and a tube amplifier, along with a set of random accessories. So, presumably, somewhere under $10k total. I am not rich by any standard, and every purchase usually takes me months, sometimes years before I make a decision. I have also, during that period, bought equipment from other shops as well (specifically a number of DACs that they do not carry), and sometimes online. On the "issues" side, I brought back my amp and they got it serviced for free, working with the company (something was defective with the power unit). I also had to replace the cartridge of my turntable (broken by a (now) former friend), and they got me a good discount on the replacement. Every time, this was handled seriously and professionally. What I like with Music Lovers: - I never feel pressured to buy anything - they let me hang out in the store for extended headsets listening sessions (yes, you have to show that you are serious about this, not just passing by) - when asking ahead of time, they will setup a listening room for me with a reproduction of my existing system for a test session (just that is gold) - they know what they are talking about - they are not afraid of having opinions and sharing them - not (too much) audiophile bullshit - their brand selection is satisfying - you can score good deals on pre-owned, demo units, or previous-gen - they are responsive Now, reading some of the negative reviews, I thought I would add a few words to help people make the best of it - or decide it is not for them. The most recurring complaint is that "they are arrogant", "customer service is disrespectful". Yeah well, this is audiophile territory. People in this are driven by passion before anything else. So, what do you want exactly? Passion, but without passion? Yes, they will dish out on gear WX, or push gear YZ, or might look down on you if you claim that your gimmicky Wirecutter-recommended-gizmo is awesome. Deal with it. Drop the entitled American customer attitude. Just because you have money does not make your every dumb view worthy of respect. If you can't tell the difference between an honest opinion and "bad" customer service, then you should go to Walmart. "Talking down to you" and out of your shitty takes is them doing you a big service, instead of sucking up to you and selling you whatever overpriced cool-aid. No one is forcing you to agree with their opinions, or get passionate yourself. Just take these in for what they are (informed, expert views), do some side reading and research, develop your ear, and test yourself to figure out what is good for you. Agree with what you can confirm. Then ignore the rest. Simple. At the end of the day, this is not so much about their attitude than it is about yours: are you in it to find gear that you objectively like? or for the "shopping experience", to have people polish that oversized ego, hypnotizing you into buying the latest over-hyped idiocy? Loving music is very much like loving wine. It is hard. Nothing is obvious at first. It is exclusive. It's about honesty, and developing that ability to focus on intrinsic qualities rather than whatever a gullible market say is good. It takes a lifetime of commitment to developing that organ. So, do you expect reverent staff feeding you, ad-nauseam, that disgusting, sticker-buyer $500 Napa Chardonnay? Or do you want to learn something about wine and get to experience that Chablis Grand-Cru? Have fun, music lover :-).

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Music Lovers Audio & Video - Now that's a speaker!

Now that's a speaker!

Music Lovers Audio & Video - Paradigm speakers in a custom home theater room.

Paradigm speakers in a custom home theater room.

Music Lovers Audio & Video

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Video Amusement - Ring Toss

Video Amusement

4.4(65 reviews)
71.3 mi
$$

We rented a few games from Video Amusement for an offsite Corporate Event. The drivers arrived on…read moretime and had the games set up in no time. They were efficient. The games were durable and held up for the event. Even though we were stalled on booking our games (due to the Venue needed to help with the layout), Luiza was still openly optimistic about helping us and in the end we got all the games we wanted. We opted for Ring Toss, Giant Checkers and Clowning Around (Bean Bag Target type of game - see photo). Except for the Giant Checkers, the prices are fairly reasonable. Please note that someone else may think that the price was reasonable...it's all subjective. Here's What I Think.... They have a ton of games from which to choose. If you're in the market for arcade/carnival type games, please give them a try.

I sent in a proposal asking for specific games and pricing, as well as corporate graphics and…read morewraps, and included the location of the event. Despite the website and all socials stating they service the West Coast and listing Seattle, WA and Portland, OR both as one of their cities, they emailed back stating that Washington was out of their service range. I emailed a screenshot of their website and asked if that was another company or perhaps only certain games, and was told the following: "For your information, our office and warehouses are located in San Francisco, CA. While we do serve the Washington, Oregon, and Nevada areas, please note that due to the extended travel distance, our minimum one-day rental for events in Washington is $18,500 plus delivery." Needless to say, I would not suggest using them.

Photos
Video Amusement - Giant Checkers

Giant Checkers

Video Amusement - Clowning Around

Clowning Around

Video Amusement - Video Amusement's Arrival - Worker Setting Up.

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Video Amusement's Arrival - Worker Setting Up.

Armadillo Music - musicvideo - Updated May 2026

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