Best Of Tucson®

Best Retail Music Store

Zia Record Exchange

Shopping at Zia is like living in a phat soundtrack. Zia is the best place to buy and trade music, as well as snag the latest in pop, hip hop, trance, metal and reggae. The two Tucson locations (plus four more in Phoenix) stock everything you need, including magazines, accessories and DVDs. There's the added bonus of discovering the weird, rare or unknown artist among the high volume of traded items that move through the stores, as well as copping a nice discount on slightly used current artists. Be prepared to spend some time browsing up and down the aisles, checking out old faves or searching for the next big thing. The knowledgeable staff is glad to help you navigate or let you roam.

Runners up:

2. Hears Music, 2508 N. Campbell Ave., 795-4494

3. Best Buy, 6015 E. Broadway Blvd., 745-0209; 575 E. Wetmore Road, 696-3442