Specialty service for the gear of the golden age.
Bench work on receivers, amplifiers, tape decks, turntables, speakers, and reel-to-reel decks from the 1970s through the early 1990s. Every service is documented end-to-end.
What I work on
Roughly: anything built between the early 70s and the early 90s, with discrete components, that can be opened up and serviced. 1970s through the early 1990s is the sweet spot.
Receivers
All the big names — Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, Technics, Yamaha, Harman/Kardon. Recap, alignment, lamps, switches, full service.
Amplifiers
Integrated amps and separates. Bias and DC offset, recap, output device replacement when needed, protection-circuit work.
Tape decks
Cassette and open-reel transports. Belts, idlers, pinch rollers, head cleaning and demagnetization, bias and EQ calibration for current tape stocks.
Turntables
Belt and direct-drive tables. Bearing service, motor and speed calibration, new belts, tonearm rewiring and alignment, cartridge setup.
Speakers
Vintage drivers and crossovers. Foam surround re-edge, crossover recap, cabinet and grille repair, driver testing and matching.
Reel-to-reel decks
Akai, Technics, TEAC, Pioneer, Otari. Full transport service, head work, capstan and pinch roller, alignment for whatever tape you plan to feed it.
From bench intake to hand-off
Six steps, every time. You'll know exactly what I'm doing and what I found.
- 01
Bench intake
I take in the piece, photograph it, and document its condition. We talk about what you've noticed and what you want done.
- 02
Diagnosis
Power-up on a variac, measurements across the major sections, listening pass on a known reference. I send you findings before any work begins.
- 03
Quote
A written quote covering parts and labor. No surprises — if something else turns up mid-service, I stop and ask.
- 04
Service
Recap, deoxidize, align, lamp, calibrate — whatever the piece needs. Every part replaced is logged.
- 05
Burn-in & verification
24+ hours of music on the bench. Re-measure. Final listening pass against the reference.
- 06
Hand-off
Pickup or dropoff in the area. You get the written service report and the bag of original parts I replaced.
Pricing depends on the piece, the condition, and what you want done. Bench rate is reasonable; parts are priced at cost plus a small markup. Quotes are written and good for 30 days.
— On the bench
Got a piece that needs work?
Send photos and a description and I'll come back with a rough estimate before anything comes in the door.