Soundsmith Testimonials

Let's be up front about this.

The WEB. Stereo repair services. An excellent recipe for paranoia.

Below are some testimonials from our customers. We are aware that this is terribly immodest. But in an age when far too many don't expect to get what they pay for, at The Soundsmith we consider it our mission to provide excellence.

We offer what many consider the best repair service and warranty available anywhere.

Some of our customers may think that quality stereo repair is readily available. Other customers tell us this is not the case, relating horror stories about butchered equipment and poor service and how pleased they are to have found The Soundsmith. Below is a sampling of some of the kudos and accolades we have received.

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Subject: SMMC20EN Cartridge

Mr. Ledermann,

I'm so glad you are making replacement cartridges! For three years I tried to obtain a replacement MMC20 cartridge for my thirty-two year old B&O Beogram 4002. My earlier retail sources no longer stock them. As time passed, I despaired of discarding my beloved 4002 turntable/arm and buying a Technics pivot arm model with Stanton cartridge, or something similar -- something I was loath to do because I prefer the 4002's straight-line tracking.

Then, last week, I thought of trying a Web search entering "MMC 20". To my delight, I came to your Web site. How pleased was I to learn that someone still manufactures an MMC20 cartridge! I ordered one from your firm and received it today. Thank you for attending to it promptly.

The SMMC20EN is now installed and sounds beautiful! Your cartridge has a marvelous clarity that I did not hear using my B&O MMC20S spherical. I notice it especially on an Argo vinyl record of Bach's mass BWV 234: the tenor soloist sounds so natural, and the clarity of the various vocal sections of the chorus is amazing. Oboe and violin and organ continuo are all there in right proportion. Distortion seems non-existant. I heard more detail than I imagined was even recorded.

No doubt some improvement acrues from the naked diamond mounting and eliptical stylus, compared to the spherical I had used. Still, your product has borne out your advertising on your Web site. The high quality of your construction is audible.

It was nice to have spoken with you personally. Your customer service representative and ordering personnel were very cordial. The product was delivered promptly to my home. In all, it's been a pleasure dealing with SoundSmith.

Charles Honeywell

Mechanicsburg, PA

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Dear Mr. Ledermann,

I want to thank you for helping me to solve the problem I was having with my receiver and powered subwoofer.  Before I e-mailed you, no one could figure out why I was getting giant thumps from the sub when I shut off my receiver; let alone how to fix it.  Your simple suggestion, given at no charge to me, saved the day.  Thanks for having a great company that's more interested in helping its customers than taking their money.

Sincerely,  Frank Gordon

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Mr. Kevin Boyd
P.O.Box 257
New York,  NY 10156

Dear Peter;

It was a genuine pleasure to meet with you and discuss repair and refurbishment of my Classic Pioneer Turntable. Other work you have done for us in recent years include a McIntosh preamp, an SAE Tuner and a Sansui Amplifier.

We found our way to The Soundsmith some years ago when you were highly recommended by a well-known dealer in high end equipment whose elaborate shop was reluctant to take on some highly specialized work. His assessment at that time was that there simply wasn’t another company anywhere with the capabilities which Soundsmith offers in restoring these magnificent systems.  We fully agree with that assessment.

The results have always been beyond excellent and we note especially the complete honesty,  fairness and integrity of Soundsmith’s business practices and pricing.  One unit we left with you came back after extensive checkout and testing with no charge because the Soundsmith determined that there was simply nothing wrong with it. It had been extensively modified for a custom installation - which didn’t affect performance - and Soundsmith’s counsel was to leave it alone and enjoy it.

Please feel free to make any use of this letter you deem appropriate and to use me as a reference if you wish. We look forward to an on-going relationship.

SOUNDSMITH IS A NATIONAL TREASURE !

Sincerely,
Kevin Boyd

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Dear Peter,
I want to thank you and your staff for repairing my Velleman tube amplifiers. I brought them home hooked them up and after about 40 minutes of warm up was grooving to Miles and Art Pepper again. The time and effort given me and my equipment especially my wanting to modify both amps for mono operation (over 100 watts per amp) was first rate!! They sound great by the way as mono units ! I also would like to thank you for giving me a chance to hear the most remarkable bookshelf speakers I have EVER heard, the Bozaks you engineered!!! You really should get back into that line of work. Thanks again  - all my audiophile pals now know about the Soundsmith if they didn't already !!!

Regards,
Al DeRose

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Dear Peter: 

The Tandberg TD20A that you recently rebuilt arrived Tuesday. I gave it a workout yesterday (taping Buddy DeFranco). I am very pleased! Forget repair. You must be in the resurrection business. I will recommend Soundsmith to anyone with vintage equipment who wishes to restore it to better than new.

Thanks again,  - Pat Judycki - Pjudycki@AOL.com

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(Below regards full restoration of Classic Marantz Equipment: Models 8B amplifier, 10B Tuner, 7C preamp)

It has now been several weeks since I received my repaired Tandberg 3012 Integrated Amp back from your shop. I've had the opportunity to test the unit under various conditions, and can say that I am thrilled with both the quality of the work and the relative painlessness of the process of getting the repair done in spite of my living in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and you working in Peekskill.

For any other Europeans considering shipping their precious equipment, I had no problems with either sending or receiving the unit. The cost of the repair ($375) was a bargain by European standards, and the shipping costs were less than what I normally would have had to pay for VAT on local repair rates. While it obviously would have been better to have you next door, the service you offered was the next best thing. Thanks again, and stay healthy -- I may need you again when the next ten-year cycle passes on my Tandberg!

Dick Bulterman - Amsterdam, The Netherlands ************************************************   

 Dear Peter Ledermann,

Peter;

I wanted to thank you for all the work you and your staff have performed for me. I wouldn't think of letting another company touch my stereo equipment, ever again!

The McIntosh MC-2205 and MR-7082 pieces you serviced are as good as the day they rolled off the production line. The real challenge was my Copland CTA 505 tube amp that has been giving me problems for so long. So bad was the problem that another well known repair shop in NYC, a tube gear "specialist", gave up on my ailing Copland. However, you did not shun such a problem case... you tackled it head on. My Copland, once again plays as beautifully as it looks.

Thanks again! Regards, Doug Olitsky 

doug_olitsky@yahoo.com

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Dear Peter & Co.:

I have nothing but the highest praise for your organization.  Others -- large or small, high-tech or low-tech, would do well to emulate it.  The service was beyond reproach.  Your price was perfectly fair.  You went above and beyond the call of duty.

Soundsmith came highly recommended to me -- by Harvey's Stereo, here in Manhattan, in the first place -- and the company's performance has probably exceeded even Harvey's own expectations.

In a nutshell, and from my own first experience, I would suggest that Soundsmith combines old-world craft with new-world efficiency in the best of both worlds.

Many thanks to all of you.

Russell Bittner  (Sumo amplifier repair)
***NYC***

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Dear Mr. Ledermann;

 SUBJECT:   s **t  service in the UK

I would like to give you and your staff a sincere thank you for the recent repair performed on my Tandberg 3018A. Right from my initial phone call and throughout the entire life-cycle of the repair, I was very pleased with the professional approach and personal feedback that I received regarding the status of the repair. For myself, it was quite comforting to know that you're an absolute fanatic when it comes to the "proper" restoration of audio gear. The rush-in /rush-out approach practiced by many other high-end repair shops is a nightmare to those of us that treasure our audio investments. I can testify to all those who are in need of repair service that this is not the approach practiced by the Soundsmith. Job well done!!!

Sincerely,  Eugene Pritchard, Brookfield CT.

PS:

I'm in love with the 3015A I just bought from you; it truly belongs with my 3018A. I gave it a thorough workout last night - she passed all tests with flying colors.....  Thanks Peter!

Hello Peter,

I truly appreciate your follow through and am ecstatic to tell you that both Tandbergs are performing flawlessly since your blessing's. Thanks so much - they're wonderful components!

Regards,  Gene

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Dear Mr Ledermann;

This letter is to add to your praises for the audio repair service you performed on my very old high power Philips amplifier.  If there is anybody who questions the use of your services please pass this letter along as another customer praising your company. Incredibly,  after five years and three "authorized" repair facilities in Los Angeles I found your company on the Internet. After the other three services butchered the unit you were able to restore it to pristine condition. Thank you for your work and integrity.

Very Truly Yours,

Law Offices of Michael S. Duberchin 

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Hello Peter!

You are one smart cookie! Yes, that was it! I got it to work with no problem! It (Teac 3340 open reel deck) was missing the dummy plug! Thank you so much!  You have made me a fan of The Soundsmith Corporation! You have made a very  loyal customer of me! 

Sincerely,  Chad White

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Subject: DYNACO TUBE AMPLIFIERS

DEAR PETER:

JUST A NOTE TO TELL YOU I HOOKED UP THE AMPS, MADE THE ADJUSTMENT, AND IT IS PLAYING BEAUTIFULLY.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR NEVER-ENDING PATIENCE WITH ME, FOR ALL THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN AND CARE FOR THE UNITS, AND FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY JOB YOU DID 'REVIVING' THEM, AND YOUR VERY PROFESSIONAL AND COURTEOUS ANSWERS TO ALL MY E-MAILS.

MY VERY BEST FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

SINCERELY,

Ken De Corso XERXES300@aol.com

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Hello Peter,

Just wanted to say thanks again for your gracious attention to both the CD player and me on Tuesday.   The player is working flawlessly.   I can see from your operation that the quality of your service and the follow-up support is superb. Nice to know there are still some folks out there who understand the meaning of quality service.   I'll be sure to recommend you and your company whenever possible.

Warmest regards,   - Dave Benz

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Hi, 

Peter,

Thank you so much for making my Mcintosh (mc2125) like a brand new again. Plus also the very little time you spend on it. I was so worried that we will not have any music at all on my wife B'day party.  You did a fantastic job. I should have known your company long time ago. After 19yrs my system sound like brand new again. Rest assured I will refer you to all my friends.

Peter again thank you so much.

Chito Bautista

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TO: Leonard Gustavson/Audio Research Corporation

Dear Sirs:

This note is to thank you for recommending The Soundsmith in Peekskill New York for the repair of my equipment. Mr. Ledermann proved to be a sincere person of outstanding integrity who repaired my gear quickly and expertly. I am a big fan of his company now and I think it reflects highly on your company that you recommended him.

Sincerely,

Richard LaMotta    (Chairman, Chipwich Corporation)

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Peter,

Peter,

Hello. Per my phone call last week about the Luxman turntable you repaired for me (via Harvey Electronics in NYC) and the absent left channel, I did as you said and you were absolutely right: Turns out the problem was with the (brand new) NAD pre-amp (which I had only ever plugged in long enough to realize that the turntable needed fixing). Harvey's was kind enough to replace it, and now the turntable sounds--and is working--wonderfully. So, thank you again--not only for the repair, but for all your help and advice along the way.

Kind Regards,  Dev Sherlock

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Dear Mr. Ledermann;

I was very gratified that you were able to repair my battered Tandberg 2080. I was impressed by the way you approached the problems and rectified them. The fact that you were able to restore the unit to functionality was more than I had hoped for. The way you explained the problems and the method of repair in language that was understandable reassured me at every step of the process. As I said over the phone, your professional approach was what I felt was the most significant aspect of our relationship.

I can't thank you enough for your patience with my questions. Although I hope I never need your help again, you would be the first person I would turn to. I would not hesitate to refer my friends to put their trust in your ability solve their audio problems.  Thanks again.

Mr Berman - jrberman@pol.net

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After purchasing my Kenwood 7002 way back in 1972 and listening to everything from The Who to Sinatra moving about 5 times and generally living my life, my beloved Kenwood started to sound tired and cranky. It just didn't have the punch or reliability it did some 30 years ago. Needless to say I was saddened at the prospect of giving up my Kenwood. As it sat and started to accumulate dust I had the brain storm to do a search on the web for someone who could bring my 7002 back to her former glory.

Dear Peter;

Thank you for repairing my HK preamp and amp.  It is a delight to hear my units again (after about 10 years being "dead").  The headroom and imaging is as I remember.  Thanks for the good work and for helping bring back music the way it should be heard!

Sincerely,
Dave Sacchini
Kent, Ohio

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Peter,

Thanks for doing such a great job with my speakers. They sound great!  You operate a high quality business in every way.  I am glad I discovered you. 
                                                                              
     Joe Klimasiewfski Jfklim@aol.com

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Mr. Ledermann;

Good news, the very day after I E mailed you the package arrived, I hooked it all up yesterday and everything works fine........Thanks again for your assistance with this and I cannot tell you how great it is to have music from a good sound system.

Thanks again.  - Simon Walsh

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Dear Mr. Ledermann;

"Thank you for your prompt, detailed reply and offer of assistance. I accidentally latched onto the speaker posts (on the back of the amp). I took my unit to a reputable hi-fi repair shop and was subsequently contacted by the chief technician with the news that repairs had begun but that they're having difficulty tracking down the requisite MOSFETs to complete the job. The technician asked me if I could locate SUMO (or their agents) by telephone or via the Internet. My last attempt to contact Sumo in Agoura Hills or Northridge, CA wasn't successful and now their web site is also out of commission....."

"So I was very pleased when your information showed up in my web search - especially seeing Sumo prominently listed on your home page. Knowing that I've been able to track down the one and only authorized Sumo repair center and given your excellent reputation is a terrific find." 

Sincerely - Ardiel Soeker

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Dear Peter;

This was my first dealing with The Sound-Smith (love that name!) I reside in the south-eastern corner of Westchester, The Sound-Smith is in the north-western corner. Not precisely close by but there is no place I rather bring my audio equipment for repair or check-up. Your service is competent and professional. I was particularly impressed with you finding the "mystery" ailment of my tuner. The Sound-Smith is highly recommended.

Rene Prochelle  - Port Chester, NY

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