Music City (Nashville, TN) Hi-End Audio Wasteland - Need Repair Shop

[ScooterDude]

I have been living in Nashville, TN for about nine years now. I moved from the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. I cannot find anyone that does repairs and modifications on Hi-End audio equipment in the area. Even the local Hi-Fi shop refuses to recommend anyone local. That's very ironic given that it is, after-all "Music City". Does anyone have a suggestion?

 

[john5220]

Which "local hi-fi shop" did you ask?

 

[cnolanh]

I've wondered this same thing, and in fact I'm surprised that there's not more of an audio community here. When I moved to Nashville a few years ago I presumed that the local Craigslist would be full of fine equipment and that adept audio techs would be easy to find. It does not seem to be the case!

The items I've recently had repaired/updated were shipped off to techs I know I can trust. I'd love to find a good local option also.

 

[john5220]

My buddy in Nashville says he used HiTech to work on his Marantz..says they're great!

 

[ScooterDude]

john5220, I called Nashville HiFi.

I called Sony (because I'm trying to get my ES amps repaired), but they no longer have local service centers.

I thought about calling Thiel Audio (I didn't realize that Jim Thiel's place was here).

In Dallas, you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a high-end audio repair/mod shop.

 

[dshoaf]

This is a common problem - not limited to Nashville. For vintage gear, the specialists are typically knowledgeable about specific brands and will likely have direct experience to back up their skills.

For instance, Terry DeWick over in Knoxville is one of our acknowledged McIntosh specialists although he will work on other vintage gear. Richard So is our A/D/S driver restoration/repair guy.

The challenge is that the specialists you seek will likely not be local to you. Further, the good ones are busy so plan on standing in line and pay what they cost. It will be worth it. There's a reason why some 'specialists' are not busy so take the hint and plan on shipping your gear to the right guys.

Cheers,

David

 

[Brianito]

My buddy in Nashville says he used HiTech to work on his Marantz..says they're great!

My experience was very negative. So much so that I shelved the turntable I brought to them for service and avoided listening to music for a couple of months, as the whole thing left such a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[ScooterDude]

My experience was very negative. So much so that I shelved the turntable I brought to them for service and avoided listening to music for a couple of months, as the whole thing left such a bad taste in my mouth.

Did you ever get the issue resolved? Do you have any recommendations?

 

[KentTeffeteller]

This is a common problem - not limited to Nashville. For vintage gear, the specialists are typically knowledgeable about specific brands and will likely have direct experience to back up their skills.

For instance, Terry DeWick over in Knoxville is one of our acknowledged McIntosh specialists although he will work on other vintage gear. Richard So is our A/D/S driver restoration/repair guy.

The challenge is that the specialists you seek will likely not be local to you. Further, the good ones are busy so plan on standing in line and pay what they cost. It will be worth it. There's a reason why some 'specialists' are not busy so take the hint and plan on shipping your gear to the right guys.

Cheers,

David

Only solid state gear Terry now repairs is McIntosh only. He does work on other makes of tube gear. HiTech service is very established and for ReVox owners in nearby Mt. Juliet, you have J-M Technical Arts.

 

[mr clean]

I just got home from florida and stopped by nashville for a few days on the trip home.Wanted to stop by a stereo shop but didn't. I just wanted to tell you locals there are some altec horns on nashviles craigs list for 150 bucks. 511bs.

https://nashville.craigslist.org/ele/6034265561.html

 

[Brianito]

Did you ever get the issue resolved? Do you have any recommendations?

I resolved the issue by learning to do it myself, with much reading on AK. My experience with Hi Tech was in late 2012, so they may be different now (or not, reading reviews). But the reason I chose them originally was because the owner is/was an AK member. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I received little to no actual service. Nothing I requested was done and it was simply to do a thorough checkup on my turntable, regrease/oil, tonearm setup, etc. I had an original M91E cart, but the cantilever was bent at a 45 degree angle sideways. My inquiry about obtaining a new Jico stylus was met with a snicker and, "Never heard of them." Perhaps I mispronounced the word, I don't know. Instead they just bent the cantilever back in place. I wound up buying a NOS M91ED later online.

What really bothered me is that the posted assessment fee (I believe it was $50) was not honored. I was told it was $65. When I asked why the sign behind the counter had a lower price, I was told the price had gone up but they hadn't changed the sign yet. Okay.

Driving home the following day with my basically untouched turntable and $65 poorer, I felt belittled and ripped off.

Unfortunately, I do not have any solid recommendations, but I sometimes see a person advertising his services on Craigslist. If I need assistance in the future, I'd either go that route or ask on AK if there is anyone local that could help.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

When Nicholson's Stereo closed, that was the beginning of the high end market in Nashville declining retail wise. Mr. Nicholson for many years had the class HiFi shop in Nashville. In the 1950's, Knoxville and Oak Ridge had more HiFi shops than did Nashville or Memphis.

 

[DanBNash]

I have been living in Nashville, TN for about nine years now. I moved from the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. I cannot find anyone that does repairs and modifications on Hi-End audio equipment in the area. Even the local Hi-Fi shop refuses to recommend anyone local. That's very ironic given that it is, after-all "Music City". Does anyone have a suggestion?

I have used HiTech serice (link below) to work on 2 different Thorens tables, a Carver amp and a McIntosh MX113 preamp/tuner. I have found their work to be good and they are nice friendly people.
They do usually have a 2-3 week back-log so it can take a while to get your gear serviced. They've been around a long time and are the only true "shop" I know of in the Nashville area.

They also have a lot of gear for sale.

http://www.hitech-electronics.net/index2.aspx

 

[Blue Shadow]

They do usually have a 2-3 week back-log so it can take a while to get your gear serviced.

Based on the back log many of the service shops have including many AK techs, this is instant gratification. Good to know that a decent shop can keep up with the work load.