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
Mine does not exist anymore (although it is still there I hear). It was the original Audio Labs in West Des Moines, IA and the owner was Harry (can't recall his last name). Maybe his son Elli (?, it's been 30 years) is running it now, I don't know for sure. Harry was a great guy and never objected to hooking anything up together for a listen (no matter how odd). One day we were running the little B&O (don't laugh, he carried this line as well as many others) S45's with a huge Harmon Kardon power amp (the biggest they made in 72 or 73) to see if the speakers would handle it (kind of like playing with army men:-). They did and sounded quite good (better than they should have) on light classical and he kept it setup for awhile. His staff once spent a couple of days setting up a pair of huge expensive column speakers (on which each of the many drivers were individually adjustable) with pink noise generators and such. Following that he allowed me to adjust them by ear (maybe he did not really like his staff that much as they all looked like they were going to puke:-). After my neighbor (an electrician) passed away he helped to maintain my tube equipment, always for a minimal shop charge plus parts. I never had much money to spend, but it did not seem to matter to him as he just enjoyed fussing with gear like we all do and sharing the experience with others. He did do a good business at the time as it was the only game in town for high end audio
Progressive Audio in Columbus, Ohio. Three floors of equipment, 15 listening rooms, equipment to fit every budget, and the a very helpful and courtious staff. I have delt with them for years, and think nothing of making the 2 hour drive from Cincinnati. If you are in the midwest, check them out.
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.