[el_matt0]

hey, any of you 604 vancouverites know of any solid places to do in-store shopping in vancouver? ive been doing a ton online lately, as obviously thats the most striaghtforward, but it would be nice if i knew of some places with decent to good quality stuff where i could drop in if i needed the odd DIY thing. u know..standard stuff...switches, leds, that kinda thing, i realize for more specific active components definitely online ordering is the way to go.

 

[error401]

Main Electronics isn't a bad shop. Messy and the prices are a bit high, but their stock is surprisingly good for a little hole in the wall place, and the people seem pretty good. There's another shop a few blocks north on Main (I can't remember the name) that I don't like as much, but they're another option.

Straying a bit further, there's RP Electronics in Burnaby (near Brentwood) that seems to be the biggest local place, but I haven't been in their shop. I've been using SMI Electronics in Langley lately (close to home) and they've been pretty good to me, but their selection isn't that great for components (though they have quite a lot of 'industrial' stuff like techflex and shrinkwrap compared to the other local shops I've used). I think they use Newark, so they can probably order in for you if you need anything from there.

I think that covers most of it, unfortunately not too many shops around here.

 

[kklee]

There's also Active Electronics at 1st and Boundary.

 

[el_matt0]

whats the selection like there @ active electronics? ive been to Main electronics, and theres a store like 4 stores down from that, similar type deal, hole in the wall place, and both are kind of hit-or-miss, they MIGHT have what your looking for, or NOT. definitely not bad though, main has quite a decent selection, howve u found active though kklee, have u been to the main electronics shop, could u compare?

 

[kklee]

I haven't been to Main Electronics in over 20 years, so it's hard for me to compare (although I seem to remember it as a hole in the wall type of place).

Active Components (I got the name wrong in my original post) is much like RP Electronics. Nice and tidy with a fairly good stock of parts, but a little pricier than RP.

 

[JadeEast]

Right by Main Electronics in a shop called "Lees"
they have alps,& wima caps and other stuff well
suited to diy. Silver solder and other "audiophile"
bits are there too.

Turntable belts on the wall, nice selection of other bits
all in nice little baggies and I like the feel of the place.

They have always been super helpful to me as a shopper
with only half a clue.

http://www.leeselectronic.com/

 

[pobrecito]

I'm familiar with most of the stores mentioned.

"Lee's" is a great little shop which was started by an engineer from Hong Kong. It carries Solen, Wima, Alps & other boutique supplies as mentioned. A good store if you are a diy audiophile. Main Electronics "the other hole in the wall" is also a great place. Their stock is excellent in particular if you are in the business of repairing consumer electronics. Both places offer good sound advice and are extremely helpfull. Between the two, you could quite easily build the infamous Grado headphone amp or several other of the DIY amps. Both also carry a selection of tubes/sockets if that's your flavour..

RP Electronics has a very good selection, is well layed out and is probaly 4x the size of Main & Lee's combined. They carry Hammond, Neutrik, & pretty much anything you might need for DIY but nothing boutique. They tend to only carry the NTE line of semiconductors and a small selection of passive components. Thus, they are somewhat limted in that respect. The staff, as the others, are helpful.

As for Active Components, I rarely shop there nowadays but they do have a fairly decent selection of semiconductors/passive devices in stock and on display vs the other stores. They also tend to be geared more towards industrial/professional vs the others. Thus having more test equipment & etc. Recommended for electronic students & the likes.

 

[el_matt0]

nice post man, very VERY useful

 

[mb3k]

I'm so jealous, there's only Active here.
Unless anybody knows of good ones in Calgary