Electronics Service Center — Local services in Clarksburg

I found ESC doing web research for a reputable repair shop within easy driving distance. My 5 yr. old $$$ Cambridge Audio receiver was out of warranty and had "died" overnight (power surge?). My retailer referred me to the only US authorized repair (in N.J.) which required me to pay shipping (receiver weighs ~20 lbs.) and a substantial up-front diagnostic fee but seemed to push an offer to provide substantial exchange credit towards the purchase of an equivalent current new model (how would I know it was really new and not recently repaired?) as opposed to repairing my equipment. This was NOT what I was looking for. ESC's web site doesn't mention Cambridge audio and although hesitant, I brought the receiver over. Jimmie was cautiously optimistic and said he was familiar with other U.K. audio products. The $50 diagnostic fee would be applied to the repair charge but returned if he was unable to obtain proprietary parts or do the repair for other reasons. He warned that he was backlogged about 1 month (which I appreciated knowing) but I figured it would be that long or longer if I had shipped the item to N.J. at almost certainly greater total cost. Three weeks later, he called and said it was all fixed and ready for pickup. Hooked it up and demonstrated that it was repaired at pickup. Total cost was $175. Work guaranteed for 6 mos. Item looks, handles, and sounds like new. I'm totally pleased and highly recommend ESC even if your unit is not mentioned on his web site. He's very busy and seems to know what he can probably fix or not fix even before accepting a repair job. I'd bet he doesn't want to waste either your time or his! A competent, honest expert charging a fair price. A rare...

I’ve been looking for reliable local support for vintage stereo without success. Then I stumbled upon positive reviews for this small shop (ESC) near the record and bookstore I frequent. I decided to give ESC a try this April to possibly revive a Harman Kardon HK-730 receiver which, after being stored for more than a decade, had lost channel and scary noise, etc., even after my own attempt to clean it. I have to say that Jimmy was easy and straight-forward in our initial and all subsequent communications. My impression of Jimmy remains that he knows what he’s doing and means what he said. The turnaround time and cost for repair are both reason. Jimmy made sure that the receiver works as he claimed and as specs indicate before I took it back. It has been performed flawlessly and sounded better than I remember.

During the repair of the HK-730, my HK-930 suddenly lost sound output from both channels. So after contacting Jimmy, I brought in HK-930 in May for his diagnosis and possible repair. To make the long story short, Jimmy fixed the power supply and I am a happy owner/listener again. I am happy to find Jimmy/ECS as a reliable, competent and reasonable local support for my vintage...

At a very fair price, Jimmy has serviced several of my vintage Marantz receivers. You'll be hard pressed to find a more knowledgeable, honest , fair priced, mom & pop electronic repair shop anywhere in the Maryland, DC or northern VA area. Jimmy takes the time (and I mean takes the time) to clearly explain what repairs are necessary. This man actually cares! His pricing is so good, it surprises me how he stays in business. I chalk it up to volume and the fact that Jimmy has repair down to a science. Each time I was there, several people arrived to leave their equipment and at least one person picked up their serviced equipment and thanked Jimmy profusely. Jimmy even told one person that he should not repair his receiver but buy a new one and Jimmy doesn't even sell equipment. Bottom line is that Jimmy specializes in high end audio repair and can repair virtually anything audio related and at fair pricing. FYI: A good while back, "Just Audio" in Parkville said it would cost $275 for a repair. Took it to Jimmy and paid only $150. Now, I wouldn't trust "Just Audio" to repair a toaster. Seems they prey on the elderly and people who don't have a clue about vintage electronics....