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Minnesota and Wisconsin Akers

jt4me1

jt4me1

Well-Known Member
I would like to know if anyone has utilized Paragon Audio/Video repair in Madison, Wisconsin. Looks like an interesting place for vintage gear, but has anyone had any vintage solid state gear repaired or serviced there? I'm consider trying them for some gear issues to avoid having to ship them to some of the other AK recommended folks (which I'm happy to do if need be).

Alternatively, any recommendations for service/repair in the Twin Cites area?
I'm in LaCrosse, WI, so fairly equidistant from either location.

Any help would be appreciated (FYI: I have 70s vintage Marantz and H/K)

Thanks, John
 
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jt4me1 said:
I would like to know if anyone has utilized Paragon Audio/Video repair in Madison, Wisconsin. Looks like an interesting place for vintage gear, but has anyone had any vintage solid state gear repaired or serviced there? I'm consider trying them for some gear issues to avoid having to ship them to some of the other AK recommended folks (which I'm happy to do if need be).

Alternatively, any recommendations for service/repair in the Twin Cites area?
I'm in LaCrosse, WI, so fairly equidistant from either location.

Any help would be appreciated (FYI: I have 70s vintage Marantz and H/K)

Thanks, John
Click to expand...

In the Minneapolis metro area I always send people to HiFi Sound. They moved a few months ago. They are on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis. They have been in business since 1951 and their tech David Olson has been at it since 1969. Not the cheapest, but I have always been satisfied with his work. Here is the website: http://www.hifi-sound.com/

Good luck.

Mark
 
Modegard said:
In the Minneapolis metro area I always send people to HiFi Sound. They moved a few months ago. They are on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis. They have been in business since 1951 and their tech David Olson has been at it since 1969. Not the cheapest, but I have always been satisfied with his work. Here is the website: http://www.hifi-sound.com/

Good luck.

Mark
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Mark, thanks for the tip.
John
 
I'm not a real big fan of Paragon Video & Stereo. I took many 2 hr drives to visit Steve and his shop. I would also call from time to time to check on any new Sansui arrivals. once He claimed to have a real nice SS TT. Lets just say I took a 2 hr drive to witness a $200 turd. Then he said forget that SS crap...Man we gotta get you in some mack. But what really hurt was when I called with a simple technical ? he replied with HOW IS THIS GOING TO HELP ME FINANCIALLY. Then he asked me again. I replied with sorry for asking. I'm Sorry but I feel he was being extremely rude. Later Rick

I just posted this response the other day. Someone wanted to know about having some Sansui gear serviced. Hope this helps.
 
johnny_fever said:
I'm not a real big fan of Paragon Video & Stereo. I took many 2 hr drives to visit Steve and his shop. I would also call from time to time to check on any new Sansui arrivals. once He claimed to have a real nice SS TT. Lets just say I took a 2 hr drive to witness a $200 turd. Then he said forget that SS crap...Man we gotta get you in some mack. But what really hurt was when I called with a simple technical ? he replied with HOW IS THIS GOING TO HELP ME FINANCIALLY. Then he asked me again. I replied with sorry for asking. I'm Sorry but I feel he was being extremely rude. Later Rick

I just posted this response the other day. Someone wanted to know about having some Sansui gear serviced. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Rick,

Wow, that speaks volumes. I've been in the place once (just to look around), Steve was not in so I did not meet him. They had a nice young salesman who was hopeful and not at all "high pressure". He did try to show me the most recent Mac set-up, but couldn't get it to play! Poor guy, he meant well.

Saw some neat vintage stuff, but for the life of me, found it difficult to tell what was for sale, what was to be fixed, and over-all found the place in disarray.

My gut feeling and your experience tells me to stay away. Thanks for the input.
John
 
Modegard said:
In the Minneapolis metro area I always send people to HiFi Sound. They moved a few months ago. They are on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis. They have been in business since 1951 and their tech David Olson has been at it since 1969. Not the cheapest, but I have always been satisfied with his work. Here is the website: http://www.hifi-sound.com/

Good luck.

Mark
Click to expand...

I will also second HiFi sound and Dave Olson. He just repaired a receiver for me for a very reasonable price of $82.

He knows vintage stuff !:thmbsp:
 
Cut-Throat said:
I will also second HiFi sound and Dave Olson. He just repaired a receiver for me for a very reasonable price of $82.

He knows vintage stuff !:thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Sounds very promising, I need to load up my gear and make a visit. Thanks to you and all the other responders for your insights.
John
 
jt4me1 said:
Sounds very promising, I need to load up my gear and make a visit. Thanks to you and all the other responders for your insights.
John
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Give Dave a call first. When his bench is full, he'll tell you to wait. You might want to talk through your issues also. Dave can be blunt too. I've learned to ignore some of his opinions about my stuff.
 
Modegard said:
Give Dave a call first. When his bench is full, he'll tell you to wait. You might want to talk through your issues also. Dave can be blunt too. I've learned to ignore some of his opinions about my stuff.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the "heads up". Will call first.
 
It looks like you've come to a decision, but since I have a little "Steve experience" I'll weigh in. His store is a bit of a mish-mash between store/old gear piles/museum. I was interested in a little 2250 Mac amp that was on display and was given a demo. Didn't blow me away, figured a re-cap would be in order. Asked for, and was given a price and then told that "I don't think I'll sell it, as it needs some work". WTF? He can rub people the wrong way and should be approached with caution............
 
freddyfender said:
It looks like you've come to a decision, but since I have a little "Steve experience" I'll weigh in. His store is a bit of a mish-mash between store/old gear piles/museum. I was interested in a little 2250 Mac amp that was on display and was given a demo. Didn't blow me away, figured a re-cap would be in order. Asked for, and was given a price and then told that "I don't think I'll sell it, as it needs some work". WTF? He can rub people the wrong way and should be approached with caution............
Click to expand...

Weird, to say the least. Think I'll try to work with a more stable/predictable technician. I appreciate the anecdote.
John
 
Had work done by Mark Wilson (absolute sound labs) and he's a great guy to deal with and the work is very good (you should see his workshop). I would recommend him, thought he was a member here...
Mike
 
If you want it done right the first time...

Speaking from first-hand experience, I can wholeheartedly recommend our own Echowars. Outstanding work completed in a timely manner. My sx-1250 is as good as new.
 
Thanks geespot, fropiler, ml69 and others.

Looks like there are a number of viable options.
I do appreciate the references.
Most of my family are still in northern Minnesota (Brainerd, Bemidji):yes:, so I get through the Cities quite often. I will plan on making some appts and getting estimates from folks you have recommended. Thanks again.
John
 
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