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Favourite / most impressive audio store

High-end audio (retail, storefront operation) high-end emporiums can thrill or frustrate with equal ease! My favourite store is "Applause Audio" on Queen Street East in Toronto, Ontario. Rob, the owner, always has a moment for those who walk in and has solid, well-founded opinions that are not forced on a prospective customer. In his funky, warm space analog and digital are well represented, everything is labelled and priced, and a useful "pre-owned" section is displayed prominently! (I'm not looking for testimonials or bad-mouthing....just your honest experiences).

P.S. for vintage stuff Steve's "Ring Audio" farther along Queen East cannot be beaten!
stereokarter
leafs
414 posts
 
Rob,s store is cool.He hosted the first meeting of the Toronto Audiophile group.A great time was had by all.
My personal favorite is Alternative Audio in Dundas,Ontario
Mike Oddie and Phil are great guys.No presure and lots of great tube gear.If your in the Southern Ontario area its worth a 2 hour drive at least.
Arthur Salvatore,s High End Audio is worth a visit its a little further out in the beaches,an unique experience.
Rickey at Audio Exellence is very genourous with his time as well on Bayview in Richmond Hill.
Audio Oasis in the old Junction area has a great assortment of vintage tube gear.
wrethame385
1 posts
 
I second ALTERNATIVE AUDIO it is the best high-end audio store i been to.And i have been to many,and the best store to get truthful advise and great deals.Its worth the drive no matter where you are coming from/Also they have a great web page
dbw1
173 posts
 
Gotta throw my two cents in for Goodwin's High End in Waltham, MA. Didn't even know they were here when I moved to town. They carry really high-end stuff (I've heard the Dynaudio Evidences there at $85,000, as well as the Martin Logan Statements at $70,000), most of which I can't even identify. Even though I'm at the level where I'll buy a $2500 CD player, I'm in there quite frequently to listen to unrealistically expensive stuff. They're terrific about it. They're very knowledgeable, generous with their time and their demos, and very low-pressure. It's brought me back to using dealers for certain things. Also, I keep having the same repeated experience. I'll be on the phone with technical support (e.g. Theta, CAL, Classe, REL), and when I tell them what part of the country I'm calling from, they say (off the top of their head), "Have you been to Goodwin's High End?" The REL techie in California even knew to recommended them! They're about 15 miles west of Boston, MA, and they do stock used stuff.
david99
1,467 posts
 
TOYS FROM THE ATTIC in White Plains,New York..... Mario is the greatest!! He is an analog child prodigy!He helped me every step of the way to break into analog and gave me the BEST prices around!!!! Thanks Mac!
adsal7e18
250 posts
 
hi-fi station 2001 near paris.i think this is unique place where you can listen the wilson wamm7 and all goldmund line.
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