I just received an interesting email from someone who wishes to remain anonymous regarding how to purchase the RM-AV2000 in Canada. I'll quote the revelant parts:

"If you wish to purchase the RM-AVx000 units here in Canada, just go to a Sony store outlet or a Sony service centre and order it as a parts order. In Markham you should be able to go directly to the Sony parts warehouse which services all of Canada. That is if they still take walk in customers from the public."

(My note: no, they changed that policy about a year ago. They will only deal direct to customers whose products are under warranty; so you can't walk in and order what you like. However, just around the corner from the Markham headquarters is an authorized Parts dealer that they'll direct you to.)

"You can order any Sony product from any where in the world as a part or in a set of parts through the Sony parts department. The Sony retail department only carries what is approved for the country it is in."

"You are best to shop around though, since each Sony service centre and Sony store set their parts prices independently and arbitrarily. There is (or was when I was there) no corporate policy on setting parts prices. Generally other shops in a city are polled and prices are set based on what they are charging, but any Sony authorized parts dealer can sell the parts for whatever they want over dealer cost and shipping charges. I have seen the same part sold in the same city for as little as 5% over cost and as much as 300% over cost."

Hope this helps some people!