Northwest Audio Svc

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7614 Aurora Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103

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(206) 728-0369
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Best

John Ledbetter at Northwest Audio Services has more Knowledge and experience than any other stereo repair shop near Puget sound. John has refurbished two Carver MXR 2000 receive...

Worst

brought in my tape deck to be repaired in March. After FIVE MONTHS of calls not returned, being hung up on, being told to come in and pick up my tape deck when it was not ready (a...

John Ledbetter, best vintage audio tech, ever! 12/13/2011

John Ledbetter at Northwest Audio Services has more Knowledge and experience than any other stereo repair shop near Puget sound. John has refurbished two Carver MXR 2000 receivers, Fixed a Carver M-1.0T amplifier (power supply capacitor blew, and he fixed my JVC receiver. After having John do exceptional quality work on my vintage equipment, for a super reasonable price, why would I, or anybody want to have another impersonal shop diagnose it? There is nobody else anywhere near Puget Sound who can match John's knowledge and experience. Thank You John! more
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Call NW Audio Svc for 8 track repairs 6/2/2011

My 8-track player stopped playing so I called NW Audio to schedule the repair. I was asked to describe the problem and was given easy DIY repair instructions. To my surprise I was able to fix the unit myself, and I am no techie when it comes to electromechanical stuff. I would highly recommend NW Audio for all of your audio repair needs. more
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Honest and inexpensive 10/27/2010

I've taken stuff to John since he was in downtown Seattle and have always found him to be honest and cheap. If you call him he will probably have a do it yourself suggestion for a repair before he encourages you to bring it in. I will be very sad if he ever retires because I don't think there is another honest and competent tech like him. more
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Honest and More Than Fair 9/12/2010

When I picked up my Pioneer 1050 from John, I expected a substantial fee. When he described all of the extra preventative service that he had done I thought I was going for a big ride. It wasn't. John has a passion for this stuff. He will probably forget more than you will ever know about vintage electronics. I love talking to him about the golden age of Hi-Fi Stereo. I feel like I have hair again. Thanks, John. You keep this world rockin'. more
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Highly Recomended 5/21/2010

Took my 33 year old Hitachi receiver with a stuck off speaker protection circuit to John. He told me about a week and if he could fix it, it would be under $70. Less than a week later he gave me a call told me it was fixed and charged me $50.\r If he is doing anything wrong it would be not charging enough, but he is sure to make a lot of friends!\r \r When coming from north turn on 77th and park behind building. Pros: man of integrity more
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Professional, Old-School Service 2/12/2010

My Dual 521 turntable lost left channel sound. I called John and without asking me to ""bring it in"" or any other way to charge me a fee (as other audio repair places would do) John offered a few FREE troubleshooting solutions. The first one was simple and fixed the problem. This man demonstrates the kind of service and helpful attitude that is so quickly disappearing from our culture. It was FREE technical solutions...he then said...""try that, if it doesn't work...call me back."" Quality Service and an amazing helpful attitude. Pros: Concise helpful advice and solutions more
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Best Audio Repair In seattle 2/11/2010

My first impression of NW Audio was that the place had to be good. Judging by the amount of repairs piled on the shelves was a valid indicator that the business was coming in because the guy was good. John not only fixed my vintage Japanese Amplifier but gave me important pointers on maintenance. He also fixed and cleaned my son's CD player for $20 - on the spot and showed my son how to do it so as to save money and hassle! John is extremely competent and honesty. I bring all my extensive collection of audio equipment to NW Audio for repairs.My highest recommendation. Pros: Honest ,super competent,and reasonable prices. Cons: Need someone to answer phones and help at the counter. more
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Completely Unprofessional 8/20/2009

brought in my tape deck to be repaired in March. After FIVE MONTHS of calls not returned, being hung up on, being told to come in and pick up my tape deck when it was not ready (and it's not like I live nearby), and being repeatedly told that it was almost fixed but that he just hadn't gotten around to finishing the job, I was finally informed that my tape deck could not be fixed. And, hey, maybe it can't be, but I would have appreciated a little more honesty about that three or four months ago.\r \r You walk in there, and there are literally hundreds of pieces of electronic equipment waiting to be fixed. I was constantly being offered ""loaner"" tape decks--where they come from, I don't know. I just know that if you want your personal belonging to disappear for months at a time, Northwest Audio is the store for you. Cons: Poor customer service, took five months to NOT fix my deck. more
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Great honest service! 7/17/2009

Brought my 80's JVC boombox in for repair, and found that it just needed a little cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment, which he did on the spot without delay, and also gave advice on maintaining it. Only cost $10, and anyone else could have easily charged way more for unnecessary work. Very friendly and honest. Highly recommended for new or vintage electronics. Pros: Prompt, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, reasonable more
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Great Audio Repair Shop !!! 12/17/2008

The most honest repair facility in Seattle that I have ever been to!!! John's knowledge of Reel-to-Reel Tape Decks is just amazing!!! I can always count on a fair assessment when it comes to repairing my equipment and I would highly recommend this estabishment without hesitation!!! The shop brings back memories of the good old days of stereo when units were made with quality and would last a long, long time!!! The owner's out-going personality gives you immediate comfort the minute you walk into the door! Just be prepared to listen abit cause he loves to talk! It was sure nice to see someone who loves his work and has continued to run his business for so many years, especially since now-a-days most repair shops no longer exist!!! Pros: Honest, Trustworthy, Fair, Technical Knowledge, Cons: Very Busy so sometimes turn-around time is long! more
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Don't even think about taking your audio repairs to Best Buy or Magnolia 8/20/2008

John is extremely knowledgable, honest, and friendly. His rates are very fair (he doesn't charge any bogus diagnostic fees - he just gets right to fixin' and doesn't charge bank for it). And, contrary to some of the other reviews here, John had relatively quick turn around time (3 days to repair my CD player). He doesn't accept credit cards, but he gave me the option of mailing him a check...AFTER I had taken my repaired CD player home. Now that's old school customer service that I haven't seen anywhere else. If all your audio equipment is working perfectly, I'd recommend breaking something just so you can have the pleasure of doing business with John. Pros: Friendly and fair service Cons: Limited street parking. But there's parking around back. more
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Consumer audio repair? LOOK NO FURTHER!!! 6/30/2008

I've lived in Sea. 25+ yrs. and coming from an electronics background with an emphasis on broadcast audio/music, I can HIGHLY recommend John's work.\r He is fair, competent, knowledgeable (just ask!!) and very well connected and respected throughout the audio community.\r \r The new location works well for me (living in the N. end), Be sure to approach from the south, as he's on the east side of Aurora where it's split w/divider - one blk. N. of PCC - Across kitty-corner from MOTO INTERNATIONAL Pros: I've had NO 'returns' to him Cons: Does n ot do DAT's - but will recommend where to take them. more
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THE place to go for vintage audio repair 5/23/2008

John is an exceptionally knowledgeable, generous and accommodating individual. He works on all kinds of vintage audio, and unhesitatingly shares his knowledge. Beware, though, he'll talk your ear off if you give him the chance! I've asked his advice many times on what to look for in particular pieces of equipment. His rates are very reasonable.\r \r There is only one minor downside. First, he has a lot of work so don't expect a quick turnaround. My stuff has usually taken a couple of weeks, but I'm never in a hurry. And for all I know, he may be faster than other audio repair places. more
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Best audio repair service 5/21/2008

John's audio repair service is the best, I can't say enough good.\r I'm gratefull there is a place like this for me to bring my hifi to. Six stars!!! Thanks John! Pros: Best service,nice people! more
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Best and most competent repairs in NW 3/25/2008

I found NW Audio and John after searching from Portland to Seattle for a good Teac reel to reel repair service. John started by repairing in 1 week a R2R that had sat for one year at another repair store without diagnosis. \r \r Since then I have brought a wide ranging collection of vintage audio equipment in for repair. Never have I been overcharged, made to wait an unreasonable amount of time for repairs, or felt the repair could have been done better.\r \r John is simply the best I've run across in >30 years of audio collecting. Matter of fact, I've got some new components that need John's magic touch. Pros: Expert, fast and friendly Cons: Will ignite latent desires to collect old audio gear! more
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Best Vintage Audio Repair (Northwest Audio) 5/22/2007

I have used northwest audio numerous times. John, the owner is honest and fair. They work on all makes and models of stereo equipment. I just had my nakamichi tape deck repaired and it works like new again. I have also had pioneer receivers, technics linear turntable, marantz receivers repaired there. A good place to do business.\r \r Also a heads up. He has moved his business from downtown to up by greenlake. The address is 7614 Aurora Ave. He still uses the same phone number. 206.728.0369 Pros: More convienient now that he is not all the way downtown. The owner is the repairman. Cons: parking is a little tight but if you can not park out front. Park in the back more
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Additional information
  • Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5:30pm;Sat. 10am - 3pm;Sun. CLOSED
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown, Belltown, Northwest Seattle, Northwest
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