Resource For Headphiles in Canada

Mods: if you deem this thread inappropriate (look like cheesy ad) at this place, feel free to move/remove it.

While the biggest chunk of SBAF population are from the US, I'm fairly sure there are a lot of SBAF friends living in Canada. To be honest, though Canada is usually teased as the 51st state for her having much similarity to the US, the headphile business is quite different here IMO. In short, Canada has far less access to headphile resources than the US.

I hope to collect the wisdom of SBAF friends and make a dedicated thread listing headphile resources for Canadiens.

I'll start first. Will add people's suggestions to the list. Bold represents good personal experience/community consensus.

1. Canuck Audio Mart (canuckaudiomart.ca)
Probably the biggest used market for Canadian audiophiles. Any seasoned Canadian audiophile should know this place.

2. Headphone Bar (headphonebar.ca)
Based in Vancouver. An enlightened partner with Schiit. Good collection of items. Ever other Vancouver audiophile knows Travis.

3. Hifiheadphones.ca
Based in West Vancouver. Note that not all their items are in stock. Also a dealer of JHA.

4. Headphonescanada.ca
Based in Vancouver. Only charges 5% GST. Dealt with them a couple of times, pretty good.

5. headfoneshop.com
Based in Toronto.

6. Pat's Audio Art (http://patsaudioart.com/)
Based in Vancouver. Has full Stax line.

7. Grant Fidelity (http://grantfidelity.com/site/)
Based in Calgary. Also ships to US. Has tubes.

8. Long & McQuade (https://www.long-mcquade.com/)
Multiple locations. More pro-audio oriented, but good for getting parts.

9. HiFi Centre (http://www.hificentre.com/)
Based in Vancouver. The service you get varies depending on the mood of the shop owners and/or which one person you deal with. High chance of asshole service.

10. NCIX (ncix.com)
Based in metro Vancouver. Usually outrageous prices, but very occasionally has surprisingly good deals.

11. hivemindcables.com
Good honest cable guy from MB. I'm told difference between models is just looks.

12. Parts Connecxion (http://www.partsconnexion.com/about.html)
DIY parts from ON.

13. Bay Bloor Radio (baybloorradio.com)
In Toronto. Hey, they look nice.

 

How did I miss this thread? This is my list that I've been compiling at HF... http://www.head-fi.org/t/548624/listing-canadian-companies-retailers

Though a bunch of my early retailer links are dead. Hmm you've got a few I don't have either.

Hah, I know the hivemind cables guy.

 

Not a canadian but I have dealt with you types before.
http://www.partsconnexion.com/ a source for TKD potentiometers, supposedly a nice upgrade from alps blue velvet

 

there's Layton Audio in Montréal as well, not always good prices (very rarely actually) but still worth going to if you're in Montréal and have some time to spare.
http://www.laytonaudio.ca/en/home.html
they have a website too.

I think it is listed in Armaegis post too

 

BASE Electronics in NE Calgary has decent prices on speakers/home theatre gear (http://www.baseelectronics.ca)
Loyalty Sound in downtown Calgary has lots of asian gear (tube stuff as well) - staff can be cranky, or let you listen for hours, depending... (http://www.loyaltysound.com/)
The Audio Room in downtown Calgary has speakers/gear - staff are very friendly and let you listen for hours (http://www.theaudioroom.ca)
Absolute Audio Video in Bowness Calgary is one of the better bets for audiophile gear, talk to James who also comes to some local meets (http://www.absoluteaudio.ca)
The Audio Spot on 632 16th Ave in Calgary has a lot of vintage gear, turntables and records as well. (Sister store of The Inner Sleeve)
B&E Electronics in Calgary has a decent selection of electronic parts and some audio supplies... old men can be dickish (http://www.be-electronics.com)


Record stores in Calgary:
Sloth Records (17th Ave) great selection of newer stuff
Blackbyrd Myoozik (17th Ave) great selection of newer stuff
Heritage Posters & Music (14th Ave, just off 17th Ave) lots of older stuff
Melodiya Records (17th Ave, up the hill west) great selection of newer stuff
Hot Wax Records (Kensington) smaller selection of newer stuff
Recordland (Inglewood) huge selection of older, small selection of newer
The Inner Sleeve (Marda Loop) has a large selection of older, and small of newer


avshop has parts for connectors/etc for pickup near Toronto, or by mail (http://www.avshop.ca)
Take Five Audio also has an online store from Ontario for parts/connectors/etc (http://takefiveaudio.com/mall/default.asp)
A-1 Electronics is located west of Toronto; crazy stocked with miscellaneous audio/electronic parts, including tubes and amp kits (http://www.a1parts.com)

 

Hivemind cables owner is a great guy, easy to deal with. Bought a cable from him a while back, very customizable, would definitely buy from again!

Have had a good experience with the headphone bar as well in the past.