Audio Research amp repair in New Jersey/New York

Another +vote for Pete and Karl, as above.

Happy Listening!

@rx8man thanks- I'll call them tomorrow to see what their availability is, I'm looking to find someone who can do it quickly and I've been told by ARC its a simple, quick repair. 

I can second the above post ^^^^ I also know them personally.

I have had their tubed DHT Dac (world-class sound) for 5 years strong.

Karl has repaired equipment that no other techs could, highly recommended.

Vujade Audio 

comprised of Pete and Karl located

in northern NJ perform high-end

audio repairs and modifications. They

actually design and build their own

custom audio components, solid state

and vacuum tube,.

(DACs, amps, preamps, phono preamps)

Karl has a masters degree in electronic

engineering design and many years 

experience They have a dedicated

listening room in Northern New Jersey.

I know them personally and have

listened to their components and

modifications. Their repairs and

upgrades sound fantastic!

I highly recommend them.

Thanks everyone for your super helpful advice- really appreciated and exactly what I like about this forum! I've connected with a few servicers and thanks to a member in my area who helped connect me with a servicer in my area too.

Pete and Karl really know there stuff: Mods and Repairs (vujadeaudio.com)

Here is info on a very compent service person, not AR-authorized, but could do this.  When I needed non-warranty service (Luxman) he did as you said, took my info and then called me when he had a slot, so rapid turn-around.  I suggest you ask him about this.

Steven Leckrone
The Service Department
30 Unquowa Hill St
Bridgeport CT 06604
203-331-0671
Steven@theservicedepartmentct.com
www.theservicedepartmentct.com

Steven is a great tech but does not like fixing tube amps and last time I checked will not work on ARC tube amps. 

Do a search. This question has been asked so many times! Even for your geographic location. 

I believe ARC has cleaned up their service backlog. I know they have one person is doing upgrades and the turn around is currently two weeks. 

@bhvf - thanks just sent you a pm as you had meters replaced which is a similar repair potential to mine, thanks 

Thank you everyone! What about ARC's authorized service center in NYC, Technetron?

@speedthrills I used them somewhat recently to replace the meters on my VT-130SE. I dropped it off and picked it up in person.  They were expensive but did a great job. ARC recommended them over another NY authorized shop. You're welcome to send me a message if you have any questions. Vu Jade that someone listed above can probably do the work for less. They're not authorized but work on a lot of ARC stuff. @bigkidz, the owner, is here on Audiogon.

I recently had a Linn Classik receiver repaired by AVS in Roselle Park NJ. Repair was just about $200, and accomplished in two days.

Address: 404 E Westfield Ave, Roselle Park, NJ 07204

Phone: (908) 298-8080

Also: https://fuchsaudiotechnology.com/service/

Fuchs repaired an ancient Knight Kit tube stereo amp for me a few years back

Speed;

Nice amp!  My ARC ate a screening resistor and ARC had an 8 month backlog.  I called a local music store at the shopping mall and asked them who is the best tube amp fix it guy around these a parts.  (guitar players who use tube amps know the best repair men).  I called the referral and my amp was up and running in under 2 weeks for a couple of hundred bucks. (ARC would have charged me 5x that plus shipping)

It looks like you have a number of good referrals here but to those who hate to wait on the manufacturer the local music store trick is a great starting point. 

@jeffseight 

Thanks but not sure how asking for referrals for ARC servicers or my original post demonstrates being bent out of shape nor is wasting people's time. In terms of "one LED", well, it kind of is a big deal given it was a $5k used amp purchase and was advertised as being perfect. A) I don't like looking at it with one meter dim, and B) if / when the day comes I want to sell it to trade up it'll be a problem in terms of resale- so- having it fixed now is the right hting to do. The selling dealer is willing to contribute a couple hundred toward the repair, and I'm hopeful that will cover it. Questions like mine herein this forum are relevant and exactly what I like about having access to the audio community's collective intelligence and experience. 

I noticed during the most recent Youtube video at AR Commissioner Gordon

walked thru the expanded office in MN. Only one service tech on hand.

There were two when I toured the facility 1 1/2 years back. 

If you are getting all bent out of shape because the retailer you bought from

is less than helpful I'd say either your story is missing some key details

or you chose a bad dealer.  One burned out LED is not worth wasting so many peoples time. 

Ben Jacoby in Brooklyn is ARC authorized. Reach out to him. Also, check with SkyFi audio in Glen Rock NJ. They might recommend someone local.
Other than that, you can just use the amp as is. That LED has no bearing on sound quality. 

Thank you everyone! What about ARC's authorized service center in NYC, Technetron? Has anyone had had any experience w/them? They are preferred by ARC and seem to have a good reputation but want $360 to diagnose the unit and the $360 goes toward the repair- is this typical ? They say about two weeks turnaround time which is attractive but I really won't know until it's too late and they have the unit I suppose. 

@speedthrills 

Give the LED to The dealer you bought the amp from and let them fix it for free!

My McIntosh, they mailed me the LEDs, I removed the faceplate, switched lamps (easy), done.

My Vintage Yamaha, cover off, replace burnt lamps with new ones I bought on eBay, done. I stuck with 'wheat' incandescent, many people today convert to LEDs.

Not too handy: cleeds mentioned VAS, he is right, they can fix anything!

Steve and his son Ray at VAS are terrific people.

https://vasnyinc.com/

cayinus@yahoo.com

1-732-888-3288

If you have the part, he might fix it while you wait. Write/call and ask him, pick a time with him, drive it there. If it proves tricky, leave it with him.

Tell him Elliott, Jim, Darius, Rick sent you! I met them all here, we meet and listen here, go there in pairs sometimes.

Where do you live? I'm in Plainfield, NJ, 35 mins from VAS

Mods and Repairs (vujadeaudio.com)

Speed, 

I’d consider returning if you can’t get help from the dealer and ARC is being difficult. 
 

I’m fairly certain ARC amplifiers use cathode resistors for biasing. If a tube goes haywire and blows a resistor, the amplifier will need to be serviced. This isn’t entirely uncommon.
 

If you aren’t comfortable soldering, and you can’t get help for a simple LED light, you’ll end up being in the same position again if you get a bad tube. 

Manley uses a similar design but they offer “clip-on” resistors so the user can service the amplifier at home. 

Good post-purchase support can be critical for tube amplifiers built like this. 

Hi End Audio Repair in Brooklyn.Ben Jacoby is great. Google for website

Steve Leung at VAS can do this. https://vasnyinc.com/

Here is info on a very compent service person, not AR-authorized, but could do this.  When I needed non-warranty service (Luxman) he did as you said, took my info and then called me when he had a slot, so rapid turn-around.  I suggest you ask him about this.

Steven Leckrone
The Service Department
30 Unquowa Hill St
Bridgeport CT 06604
203-331-0671
Steven@theservicedepartmentct.com
www.theservicedepartmentct.com