Magnetic Tape Recorder

Who we are

Magnetic Tape Recorder Inc. was founded in 1956 and has been serving Louisville as the foremost destination for stereo repair for almost 70 years. We have grown to become the largest vintage stereo sale and repair hub in the tri-state area and also offer a wide range of new equipment for sale.

In 2020, we moved from our original Baxter Ave. location to 3315 Preston Highway, but not much else has changed! We still strive to provide the same excellent, honest experience to our customers as we always have, and we continue to fix the "old stuff." With over one hundred years of combined audio repair and sales experience, let us guide you in your vintage audio adventure!

WHAT WE DO

We specialize in the repair and sale of vintage home audio equipment, focusing primarily on analog gear from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. While we handle older and newer units, our expertise lies in servicing and selling 1970s-era stereo equipment. Our offerings include turntables, reel-to-reels, cassette decks, record players, CD players, amplifiers, preamps, tuners, receivers, speakers, speaker refoams, 8-track players, equalizers, boomboxes, tube amplifiers, antique radios, Delco and Philco antique car radios, combo stereos, and shortwave radios, among others.

We have a particular affinity for sentimental pieces, such as grandpa's radio, dad's turntable, mom's CD player, the stereo system purchased post-college with the first paycheck, a reel-to-reel brought back from Vietnam, or the cassette deck acquired while stationed in Germany. Many of our customers entrust us with machines that have been passed down through generations or have been in the family for over four or five decades. Our mission is to extend the life of these cherished items, treating each repair with the care and attention we would give to our own possessions. We always inquire, "Is it sentimental?"

our repair process

We offer a complimentary evaluation of your unit at the front counter, taking approximately 3-10 minutes to provide an estimated repair cost. However, we do not proceed with repairs without a diagnostic fee. Unlike some repair shops, we only accept units we believe can be fixed, avoiding unnecessary charges for our customers. Our diagnostic fee is a minimum of $75, applied toward the total repair cost.

Upon evaluation, if the repair cost matches or is less than our estimate, we proceed with the fix and notify you when it's ready. Should additional repairs be necessary, we promptly discuss the options with you before proceeding. If the unit is deemed unrepairable, you are only charged the diagnostic fee. Our repairs come with a 30-day warranty, and our typical turnaround time is 30-90 days.

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