Dropped off two vintage Marantz receivers to be looked at and tuned up. Younger Matt was the one who did the intake. I believe the estimated service time 2-4 weeks but only about a week or so later, I got a call saying they were ready to go. Older Matt, the owner, was the one who I picked them up from. He was super kind and ended up giving me a quick tour of the facility they have. Price was reasonable, especially for performing a service that is basically a dying art. Receivers have worked well and functioned great ever since. Hoping that Telstar stays around for years to come! read more

I have a '70's Panasonic combo unit that I've had since high school so when the turntable started to slow I reached out to Matt. Yeah it was just a bit pricey but I am thrilled with the results, looks and plays like new. He stayed within his initial estimate and had it back to me much sooner than I expected. read more

Telstar Services - Panasonic turntable, 8 track and radio. - Electronics Repair Near Me - Austin, Texas

AVOID THIS BUSINESS! They overcharge and are not honest. Go elsewhere to the many alternatives. I had a subwoofer with an aging speaker which made loud popping sounds. When I brought it in they looked at it and told me it would need a new speaker and that they would have to order a matching speaker. Their estimate was between $365-395. About a month later they called and said it was ready. When I came in to pick it up I learned it did NOT need a new speaker, only to replace the foam circle around it which had deteriorated. Rather than a new speaker, the "foam kit" cost $35. To my astonishment, they then insisted on charging me the maximum estimate of $395! When I protested they reduced their charge to $370!! I will NEVER return to this business and strongly recommend you look elsewhere. I gave them 2 stars only because the workmanship on the foam kit looks adequate. Their integrity and honesty deserves a MINUS 10! read more

First of all Beau is a two face, tells you one thing and then acts like an ass when he decides he doesn't want to help you. Brought in a surround receiver that had lost its sound but everything lit up, Bobo calls to say it's ready and when I get there it's hooked up to probably the smallest speakers they had in the place, the receiver is a Marantz SR012 which puts out 205 per channel. I turn up the volume almost half way and there's barely any sound coming out of the speakers and I ask what's up with that and his response is you said there was no sound well now there's sound; what a jerk! Avoid this place at all costs. Yelp needs to add a zero star rating because that's what I would give Bobo and this place for employing a person like that. read more

!!!Avoid Telstar Service at all cost. I never write negative reviews but I have NEVER had such a bad experience in my life. Dropped off a receiver 6 weeks ago. A $65 dollar diagnostic fee was charged and is expected to take 2-4 weeks. After 4 weeks I called to see what was up and was told no one had looked at my receiver yet. Called after 5 weeks and was told no one had looked at my receiver. After week 6 I went to pick up my receiver. When I stopped in to pick up my receiver, I was told by the owner Matt, that a technician DID diagnose my receiver. When I asked to see the technicians notes, Matt refused to show them to me. If I'm being charged $65 dollars for a diagnosis, I should at least be able to see the note, otherwise Matt is making it up to justify charging me $65 dollars. When I called Matt out on this, he became enraged. I called twice over a three week period asking for the status of my stuff, with no return call, but Matt accused me of blindsiding him and he blamed me for not asking to speak to him directly. Whenever I called I was told Matt was away and he would get the message. Because the owner refused to shown the technicians diagnostic notes, I can only assume I payed $65 dollars to have my receiver sit on a shelf for a month and a half. If you don't want to be taken advantage of, lied to and treated horribly, I would AVOID Telstar Service. Maybe this place was good in the past but I would seriously think twice about going there with your vintage stereo equipment. read more

If you enjoy getting ripped off, this is the place to go. I brought in my Stereo Console for a restoration, they said it would be about 4 to 6 weeks turned out to be 4 to 6 months. I did a check on there prices of parts and I was charged 200 to 300% over their cost. One month later the on off switch stopped working. I brought the unit back in and finally got it back six months later. An on off switch cost me over $400. Does this make any sense to anybody out there? I've had the unit for several months, and it is starting to make a loud, humming noise coming from the radio, doing an investigation of my own I realized that they didn't change any of the cardboard capacitors that are in the tuner which should have been done the first time it was there as part of the restoration. anybody that uses this company is in for a rough ride. Good luck. read more

I loved everyone there. Great guys to chat with. But ... I needed my system fixed, and after 6 months and taking it back three times .. it still sounds terrible. I told them exactly where the problem was, and they disagreed with me, and after 4 separate visits, in the end they told me that the part I originally said was the problem.... was the problem. They claimed it was now fixed. I took it home, and it still sounds terrible. Sorry guys, but this was way too much time and effort to still have a terrible sounding system. I really wanted this to be the shop that I could go to, but I really can't say I'll bring anything back here again. read more

After not using it for several years, I was confronted with my Sony Dual Cassette tape deck eating tapes (yes; I still have them). Google search showed a couple of Austin repair shops that might be able to fix it, one of which said due to parts shortages, they no longer work on cassette decks. But Telstar Services would check it out for $49.50, which would count towards repairs, should I decide to authorize them. The owner, Matt, kindly put the inspection on a rush job status, so that I could decide whether to proceed or try for used decks on eBay or other places. Given the total cost estimate to refurbish my Sony was within range of those I found as refurbished on eBay, I decided to support this important, local business. About a week later, Matt called to say the deck was tested and ready, and I picked it up. I am glad to report that it is "as good as new," and I highly recommend Matt and his friendly, informative, and capable Telstar Services employees. read more

I can't recommend Telstar. When I dropped off my soundbar for repair, I was told they'd get back to me in a month with an estimate. 6 weeks went by, so I called. They kept putting me off, and after 2 months and numerous calls, they finally gave me an estimate, which was the price of a used one, so I declined. They wouldn't refund my deposit. I can understand that sometimes a business falls behind schedule....I get it. But a phone call at one month to reset my expectations would have been a much better way to handle it. read more

Left my turntable there for 4 weeks at least for them to tell me they can't repair it. All 10-30 minutes of diagnosis taking 4 weeks just to take my deposit. Only good thing about this place is Bo at the front. Everyone else provides trash and sluggish service read more

Nice staff, but the quotes I've gotten for record player repairs have been higher than if I just bought new systems. If you're not taking in higher-end equipment I wouldn't bother. Just go buy something new. (For example: I took in a $119 player to be repaired, and they quoted $175-$195 to fix it.) They charge $50 to look at anything you bring in, and I've lost that deposit twice, assuming the first time was just a fluke. (The first one I declined to repair and I left it with them. They ended up repairing and selling it, which is 100% my fault, but was still annoying to see it sitting on the shelf the next time I was in.) I'm sure they're talented but I won't be back for a third time. read more

I'd give this business a negative score if it were possible. Matthew, the owner, had the worst customer service I've ever dealt with in my life. I dropped off a 1967 Stereo Console on November 14, 2020, and deposited $150 with the promise of an estimate to determine the full amount owed for repair. Never received a call, an estimate, or anything. Followed up with Matthew at the three week mark, and was told they were still working on the console--how can they be working on it without giving an estimate? Matthew was short and rude to me, as well as not giving me any indication of the price or type of work that would be required. I called back today, 6 weeks later, and received the exact same feedback (which was nothing). I'm absolutely disgusted with the service here. read more

These guy can fix almost anything. Difficult repairs are sometimes a long wait because of part issues but standard stuff gets done fast.

This was not a good experience, having used them for the first time. My almost 2 year old Sony Blu-ray DVD player quit working (used it infrequently) and I took it to them asking if they can repair it and if so, how much. Matt said they would get back with me in 5 to 7 days with an estimate after diagnosing the problem. Four weeks later he called me up and said that I needed to bring in the remote control for this device because they could not access it. So they waited four weeks to look at my device and then tell me I need to bring in the remote. Then it was going to take 140$ to fix or replace the laser. I decided to pass on that and buy a new one as I lost confidence in them For their poor customer service. read more

They told me they'd give me a diagnosis within days of dropping off an amp. Three weeks and 7 calls later, they still couldn't tell me what was wrong and I feel like they lied to me several times. Well today I'd had enough so took my amp back. I'm out 70 bucks. Untrustworthy and/or incompetent. This is last place on earth to take your equipment. read more

Four months waiting on an estimate, with countless promises for a call-you-back-later-today that never came. Then the estimate is 3 times the replacement cost of the item, and "oh, we need you to bring us the tools to repair it also". I loved that last part. $200 down the toilet. I'm pretty sure this place is a scam. They take an outrageous deposit, do nothing for months until they get tired of your pestering, and then give you an estimate so high you'll refuse and they keep the reposit. read more

Should, have read review but would not recommend, I took in a BO wired headset to have a replacement tip soldiered on, was told it would be ready in a week unless there was an issue. Arrived two weeks later to pick up and it was not ready, per notes the tech said it was more complicated then expected. The owner does not really care about business, does not even open store on-time, or follow-up on call backs. read more

I've waited days to think before writing this negative review. I note that 8 of the 16 posted reviews as of today are 1 star. Let me make that 9. To fix a simple music only (not a Music Hall quality) CD player that worked except for a crackle sound (Laser? Bands?) I paid the $85 look and see fee (it would apply to any repairs necessary) only to be quoted much later ANOTHER several hundred dollar charge to fix it. I balked at that and just ate the $85. I have no desire to put this jerk's kid through college. Last I checked $85 alone would buy one or two or three CD mechanisms of the same quality as mine. It is troubling that Austin Stereo Service, a true 5 star place, referred me to Telstar. Stay away. Far away. read more

I needed repair on my old Sony receiver. Matt told me it would take about two weeks to get the diagnosis, and he would call me. In two weeks he called with the diagnosis and cost of repair, and told me it would take about six weeks. It took about two. I am very pleased with the quality of work that was done. Receiver looks brand new and works like its old self. I couldn't be more pleased. read more

I absolutely love Telstar! Not only did they fix my gramophone - I also got a personal tour from the owner Matt into their set-up! I loved how kind he was and how he introduced me to everyone working there. You can tell he has built a really warm and friendly environment. I'm so glad to have found this small business! Oh yeah, and my gramophone works like new! read more

If I could give this business a negative rating it would be "never ever take anything there." You have to pay an $85.00 non refundable upfront fee. Great for them as they can say what they want, charge you an enormous amount to repair your product and if you don't pay it, you loose your upfront money. Front desk is nice when you take your product in & telling you it will be 4 -6 weeks and taking your money. From then on it was, "we are working on it," let me call you back I am with a customer," or no call as promised when they tell you it will be ready next week." Tried to charge me $385.00 to replace a worn out belt on a CD combination system. Whole new system would have cost less than $150.00!!!! Oh and the 4 - 6 weeks?? Now I am not a mathematical genius but from March to July is just wee bit more than 4 - 6 weeks!!!!! Will not be back and will tell everyone who wants a place to repair their stuff...stay away from this place!!!! read more

The men working behind the desk excellent excellent customer service totally impressed

I was the proud owner of an early 1980s Panasonic home stereo system...until it stopped working one day. This was a one-of-a-kind faded pink record/cassette/radio player...I knew it needed to be rescued! Enter Kim at Telstar. She took my baby and brought it back to life. Not only did she/they re-solder the entire system, she painstakingly cleaned it with a Q-Tip and made it look brand new. When I picked it up weeks later, it sounded AMAZING. I tested it out at my house party that night--to many impressed guests. Now my Bee Gee's records are finally getting the love they deserve. Notes: They are hidden in the U-Haul offices off of Burnet. Cash only. Weird hours...call ahead. You gots to put down a $50 deposit. read more

I recently brought my GE Trimline 500 record player to this shop for service. When I brought it in, everything was functioning, but it sounded to me like it was running a little bit slow. All other functions were good (drop-down, auto-reject...). I was informed of the $50 deposit and told that it was likely that since everything was functional, the repairs may not go much over that $50. I was aware that this was just a guess though as the unit had not yet been evaluated. I received a call a week or so later and was told that basically nothing was functional and an overhaul would cost $200 - $300. I asked why nothing was functional when I brought in a working unit and I was told that they hadn't done anything to the unit to cause it to lose functionality, but nothing was working. Not being able to afford the repair cost I said that I would come and pick it up soon. A few days later I picked it up and brought it home. I was immediately disappointed to see that while they were evaluating the unit they didn't appear to have even cleaned it. For $50, I was expecting to at least have the interior dust removed while they had it open. Guess not. I plugged it in and immediately heard a buzzing noise that it hadn't made previously. Upon further investigation it seemed that NOTHING was working at all. The table didn't even turn! As I was checking it out, at one point the table dropped down slightly into a lower position and voila... EVERYTHING worked again! Was this unit evaluated while the table was somehow out of position and that's why the repair estimate was so high? I am in no way an expert and I was able to restore full functionality in under 10 minutes from plugging it in. So the bottom line is for $50 I've got the same unit (dust and all) with the same functionality and it was not even evaluated properly for the original problem (slow playback). I sent an email to them as feedback and received a defensive, non-apologetic email in response. Apparently it is their policy to not even clean a unit that they're "evaluating" unless the repairs are purchased. How pathetic. Avoid this place! read more

OK, so I'm not Howard Stern (don't wanna be), and I'm not "The King of All Media". But I DO want to be able to PLAY all types of media, even the Vintage formats. So, besides all the "modern" crap (CD / DVD / HDTV, etc.) that's supposed to be "better" (not gonna debate that here), I need the "old school" stuff too: Phonograph, Cassette, VHS, etc. I DARE you to bring something over that I can't play! OK, can't play 8-Tracks, but I AM equipped to play ATRAC's (ah ha! gotcha; what's THAT?); far superior to MP3's. Anyway, my "old" Cassette Deck bit the dust at an inopportune time, while I was in the middle of converting some old tapes to .WAV files, so I could burn a CD. CROAK! And it was gone. Had I KNOWN this was gonna happen, I WOULD have bought the Nakamichi deck I stumbled across at Austin Stereo a coupla weeks earlier, but NOW, when I called, it was gone, and all they had was a Nakamichi Dragon. NICE piece of Vintage gear, but more than I wanted to spend ($1100, and not a bad price for what you're buying). I might want to play all media, but ya also gotta ask yourself just how much you're gonna USE a cassette player these days, and what's it WORTH to ya. I do kinda regret not pickin' it up (the Dragon); that's a true Collector's Item, for sure, and getting more rare all the time. But, oh well... So I did some calling around, and found something just up my alley: a Harman/Kardon CD 191 Cassette Deck, at a fair price ($140 + Tax). Harman/Kardon is known more for Receivers (I have two of those) than Cassette Decks, but they made a very good Cassette unit. Nakamichi was the "Cadillac" at the time, but HK was considered to be a very good "mid-level" unit, and good enough for MY needs, today. HK ain't no Radio Shack piece o' crap! Which, embarrassingly, IS what my former unit was; please don't tell anyone. If you're not familiar with Harman/Kardon (most folks aren't), THEY INVENTED STEREO "back in the day", are still in business, and are now a division of JBL, or vice-versa. They still make EXCELLENT Receivers, up to and including really high-end systems. If you're shopping Audio gear and you DON'T check out HK, yer missin' out! The best is NEVER the most advertised; hey, when's the last time you say a Lamborghini commercial? So, where did I get my wonderful "new" (OK, it's old too) HK Cassette Deck? You already know: Telstar Services. I'll post a picture later of my ONE item I've purchased so far, but the pic's there will illustrate that they DON'T just deal in Vintage gear; there's an HDTV Camcorder pictured, among other things. For now, I'll just say that this Deck looks like it just came off the Assembly Line. Not a scratch on it, and it plays beautifully. I've dealt with Audio gear long enough to know when I'm dealing with a QUALITY FACILITY, and Telstar definitely falls comfortably into that category. HOWEVER: After reading Jack Bowower S.'s review, I guess I should say that I had called once in the past, regarding an ancient Fostex unit I have, was TREATED VERY RUDELY by the Owner, and SWORE I'd only use 'em as a last resort. BTW, I wouldn't mess with Jack Bowower S; name sounds too much like "Bauer", and we all know what happens when Jack BAUER gets mad! Just sayin'... When I bought the HK unit mentioned, I didn't realize I was dealing with the SAME business! But since I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere else, I guess it could be considered a last resort. Jack's review, and my own negative experience on another occasion, have caused me to lower my rating somewhat, but I DON'T recommend avoiding these guys, if you have the need. My second experience, buying the HK unit, was positive. They also do REPAIR on new and Vintage gear. larrythediner . read more

Purchased most of my stereo equipment during my military service. I have some great pieces that has just sat for years without use. About a year ago I decided to pull them out and connect them again. My vintage SAE 2600 amplifier would trip the circuits and shut down. Debated whether to try and fix it or if anyone could since it was over 40 years old. After calling around, many places would not touch it. One repair shop recommends Telstar. Took my amp to them and they not only repaired it, but it ran quieter than I ever remembered it in the past. I think that it is literally as good if not better than when I purchased it. I love the service. I was contacted and informed of what needed to be replaced and the cost to do the work with parts. Matt would take my calls late at night sometimes and was always patient, pleasant, and cordial in conversation. I could not have asked for more. They save my amplifier which has been with me longer than most family members. So pleased with the service and work, I took my Revox B-77 reel-to-reel in as well. Just got that back and once again the results are beyond expectations. I am listening to my system again and it is amazing. I have some great recordings made while serving overseas. My plan is to have Matt and Telstar clean and update every piece of equipment I have. Great to not have to box up and mail off to someplace that promises they can do the work. They are simply the best and the work done at Telstar cannot be matched. Look forward to getting all my equipment done in the next couple of years. 5++++ stars!!! read more

1st this place is a big scam with legal to the laws, PLEASE don't let this place take your money without doing anything with service you need, I drop the cassette deck before Chrismas and call in 3 times, each month part, the front desk girl keep saying we have no time yet, and tech looking for services manual, call in 3rd time she says the same thing again, I ask her do you know what wrong with the unit yet? she can't answer that, but I understand so I ask if I can have my unit back, they say ok but don't want to refund my deposit for diagnostic ( they did not perform what I pay for) she says let the owner call me back, he calls me with suggesting this unit will cost a lot of money to fix, but don't have an idea what wrong with the deck or explain what need to be done, been sitting more than 3 months, but not bother to check it out until I want my money back. Lol, couple 5-star review I think that this guy friend or family do that so he looks good on google search. I heard from an insider that, this guy can not fix the TV but if you bring it to him, he charge you $ 150 for it then bring TV to the place in Austin fix it, he keeps that $150 then charge you whatever the TIVI place charge to fix it. read more

Dropped an elderly CD changer back in November and was told they would let me know within a couple of weeks if it was repairable. Fast forward to February of the following year and I have had 5 of the following conversations... "Hello, I am checking up on my CD changer." "Yeah, we are working on it let me call you right back when we know what is going on with it." Not once have they ever called me back, I have always had to initiate the call. I still do not have an answer from them and at this point I am ready to just walk from the whole thing. They came recommended from someone else in the business. Wished I had read these reviews before I dropped off and just went ahead and got something else vs. wanting to fix my old unit. Would have saved the $85 'diagnostic' fee and much annoyance with horrible customer service. I probably should not have written this while they still have my equipment but I am quite frustrated with how I have been treated as a customer. read more

I had a turntable with a damaged circuit board. I talked to Matt on the phone and he said that they could fix my Technique 1210. I was a little skeptical when I pulled into a U-haul self storage unit and learned that the shop was in one of the units. I went a head and dropped my turntable off just before Christmas. When I picked up my turntable I was happily surprised. The pitch slider that was broken worked better than the day I got my turntable. They completed the work in a matter of a few weeks even with the two holidays. Needless to say I would recommend them for any repair of older electronics that you might have. Matt and his team were fantastic read more

Awesome. Answered phone right away, was very helpful from the start, was able to get my gear in same day. As promised, I got a call about two weeks later with an assessment of my repairs. Now just waiting for the repairs to be finished. Will update this at some point, but so far has been an excellent experience. UPDATE Funny, the day after I posted this my repair was finished. Awesome. read more

If Yelp let you give a business 10 stars, I'd definitely give Telstar all ten. And a half. The one good thing another business did for me was refer me to Telstar for repair of a camcorder. I heart Kim. She was patient and thorough and could teach a LOT of places some thangs about customer service. Other things I appreciated about Telstar is that they didn't talk down to me and they didn't try to sell me a bunch of unnecessary stuff. I highly recommend Telstar and Kim! read more

I called all over Austin, but no one would repair my 10-year old Epson 3880 photo printer. Then someone told me about Telstar, and they not only could do it, they have an Epson specialist. The repaired printer works like its old self, and the price was reasonable. They have been at the same location in a U-Haul storage unit for almost 20 years. They will walk you through the various rooms of the shop where you can see they repair anything AV: stereos, music recording components, printers, slide projectors, televisions, digital recording devices, even tube components. They take a couple of weeks to give you an estimate, but they are good. I recommend them. read more

Don't take your equipment here if you've tried doing some work on it and need someone to diagnose and fix the problem. I'm sure they do great work on full recaps and restores. I put a lot of paperwork together, including every part I replaced, what the problem is that needs to be fixed (low voltage on a potientiometer), and the service manual with the schematic. I thought this would at least help the tech figure out where to start. Wrong. They told me that because I had performed work on the equipment, that it had "major issues" and would be "a lot of work" to fix. They then told me that they would basically have to do a full recap because they can't trust my solder work (even though you can easily test this above the board). Regardless, I asked him to look into fixing a specific problem and they ignored this. I requested a refund and they refused to give it to me. I basically paid a $65 diagnostic fee for them to tell me that they don't know what's wrong with my unit and would need to perform a ton of work because I messed with it (i.e. they did nothing to diagnose the problem further than what I had already told them), which makes no sense at all. They even said that they shouldn't have taken my unit in the first place, which further justifies why I should have a refund. I know other places have longer waits than Telstar, but I will definitely take my equipment elsewhere in the future. I sure hope that $65 was worth the business that you'll lose because of this review. read more

I had a pair of headphones for soldering. I know exactly what's wrong - there are 2 wires loose at the connector, an aftermarket screw-on. It's easy to see the fault. When I dropped off the headphones, I was told the minimum charge was $30. I asked the guy if this was the cost to repair, and he confirmed for a small soldering job that would be the price. He told me I'd hear from them in about a week. So, I paid the $30. About a week later, an older man called and said the charge would be $95. The $30 I had already paid would go towards this. I asked why so much for a simple soldering job - we are talking 2 or 3 wires, easily accessible. He told me this is just what it costs for the technician's time. I explained that was more than the headphones are worth and I'd understood the $30 to cover the whole cost. He told me I'd misunderstood and that, while I could come and collect the headphones, I would not be able to recoup my deposit. When I collected the phones just now, they had a sticker on the headband. As I peeled it off, it took some of the old rubber with it. read more

My almost-vintage 1984 Sony amplifier got fried in a lightning hit to our house (we forgot to unplug the system). Met with the owner Matt and handed over the unit (along with the $65 non-refundable estimate fee) but I was pretty skeptical that my amp would ever work again. About two weeks later, I picked up my amp from them, plugged it in and tried out just about every possible connection. The unit works and looks like new! I am sold on Telstar and would heartily recommend them to anyone in need of electronics repairs. Cash or check only. read more

Matt, Claudia, and Kim are state-of-the-art electronics whizzes! My six year old LCD tv went to a blue screen, so I took it in for diagnosis. Had it back in under a week for less than $200.00. Five other tv repair places I called said they charged more for diagnosis and warned me that repair would likely cost the same as a new set. I would recommend this place to anyone needing electronics repair, as I also learned that they do work for other repair businesses! read more

Restored my Bang & Olufsen Turntable back to pure perfection, AAAA++++. Highly Recommended....

I have to ditto what everyone else said. Great customer service and fair pricing. Support this local business. P.S. Cash or checks only. Kelly G. read more

Taken my son's Bose noise cancellation headset to a few other businesses which either could not or would not fix the problem. Was on the point of giving up when an audio shop recommended this place. Was a bit leery of Telstar given its location in a middle of a U-haul but they gave me a timeline, stuck to it and fixed the headset. A happy son, a content customer. Just make sure you bring your checkbook or cash or even extra produce for barter. read more

Don't do it. Find any other place to go. Brought in an older console. Was told it would be a couple of months. After 5 months was told they could not fix it, tried to pick it up and was yelled at by the owner after asking for my deposit. Let them try and finish the job. Picked up the unit after 7 month and still does not work properly. Lost my money and do not have a properly working unit. Go anywhere else you can. read more