Dan Langendorf

Review of Austin AudioWorks

Before I left Grapevine I had a 1970s Technics tur...

Before I left Grapevine I had a 1970s Technics turntable repaired. The vinyl sounded OK but something wasn t just right I figured my analog ears were out of tune after years of digital and, now, streaminng music. A short while later one channel disappeared. After arriving in Austin I fortuitously drove by Austin Stereo and, later, brought the turntable by for a look-see. Turns out 13 capacitors were in need of replacement. Had the original repair shop found these, I could have saved at least a hundred bucks. Doesn t matter anymore: Austin Stereo repaired and the turntable sounds amazing. The issue wasn t my old analog ears but old, failing equipment in need of repair by someone who knows what the heck he s doing.

My advice: Spend a few minutes visiting with the owner (if he ever comes out from the back of the shop) and the super-knowledgeable help (sorry, names escape me). You ll be amazed what you learn about equipment you own and may want to repair or vintage components you may want to purchase as well as today s box-store equipment. You ll also learn how they approach repairs, which certainly would have helped the one-star reviewer here. After reading the thrashing, and before reading the owner s response, I already knew what the owner would say. Sure enough, had the disgruntled customer listened, he would have known why his repair was rejected. I bring this up for this reason: I trust the experience and opinions of Austin Stereo from my first-hand encounters with them. This extends beyond repair to understanding older equipment, sales (what they sell), and pricing.

My analog ears are happy again.