Pyramid Audio

Gregg M.

Joined 4 months ago

These guys fixed a Levinson ML7a preamp and a Pioneer TX-9100 tuner for me. The Pioneer was a challenge. The power switch was bad. As the switch itself is no longer available from Pioneer, they took it apart and replaced its guts. I also had them realign the tuner and replace burned out light bulbs. The tuner now sounds, works and looks like it did in 1973. I am very pleased with their service.

Recommends

Wade M.

Joined 7 months ago

I've used Pyramid several times over the last 20 years, and they have always done a good job and been quick. Another good audio repair shop is closer to me, but Pyramid's turnaround is quicker and their calibrated Audio Precision test set-up is the cream of the crop- appropriate for factory repair on Levinson etc. So they are the best suited in town for real high end repair, though I've mostly just brought them Denon components. They have large stockpiles of parts so they can fix the majority of stuff fast, and they do so competently and courteously. I recently brought them an obscure high end item that ran $5,000 30 years ago, and 5 days later it was fixed and they had test results too! If you have something that deserves special attention or service, they will go the extra mile.

Some repair shops probably have lower diagnostic fees than Pyramid's current $69, but I don't ever recall a repair from any audio shop running much less in the end. Currently the front desk folks are not technicians, so can't provide answers to everything, but that help is there for the asking if you can wait a minute. Inexpensive components are probably not worth taking here. And they no longer do car audio, so don't bother. If you're not sure they will work on something, give a call- they'll tell you.

Recommends

Anthony G.

Joined 9 months ago

As a technician myself, I do recommend this place. I took my Denon DN-D9000 in to get a new interconnect cable. I was fairly certain of the diagnosis, however, of course the door had to be left open to other causes of my symptoms. Any proper business should be so careful, and for the level of gear this shop services, I'm not taking any chances. People looking for an instant diagnosis or solution should realize that, while so very appreciated when it happens, can not be expected when running a business in this economy. The bench fee was certainly reasonable, and the person at the counter was friendly, expedient and didn't smell bad.

As for the comment of the labor being more expensive than the part, that my friend is the nature of the beast. You certainly can not use this as your primary factor when rating this company. Troubleshooting is indeed a rare skill, and I trust my decks were treated to the works. After I received my decks back within 2 weeks, I forget exactly how long, they were in perfect order again. I had feared the bench fee would exceed the cost of the interconnect (even though it was quite a fat Dsub-type with funky latches), however when I picked up the unit and paid my balance (less than $100 total) they included a second new cable for free. So if and when the problem resurfaces (an interconnect which could have been engineered better) I will already have another new replacement.

So to recap, two new Denon interconnect cables and diagnostic bench fee for less than $100. I believe lots of the negative reviews here are because of unrealistic expectations (due to lack of knowledge of the electronics repair industry) and people bringing in really cheap gear that is not up to the level this place is known for servicing. Also, all the positive reviewers are too busy making music to worry about the stupid internet.

Doesn't Recommend

Linda H.

Joined 11 months ago

Don't take your Klipsch here!! Called before taking my subwoofer in and gave them the make and model. Said they could work on it, and wanted 70.00 up front to diagnose. Two weeks later get a phone call saying they could not repair it, would need to ship back to Klipsch for repair, and they would refund me 20.00. So, I go to pick it up and asked why they could not repair it. They said they are not an authorized repair service for Klipsch, so Klipsch would not sell them the necessary parts for repair. Great, so why are they taking repair jobs and money from people on components they cannot get parts for????? They should have been up front about the possibility of not being able to get parts for the repair. I would have saved myself 50.00 and found an authorized repair service, or shipped it to Klipsch. Bad business!!!!!

Recommends

Pyramid Audio

Joined 2 years ago

Reply To djrone. This mixer, brought in 10/31/10, complained of channel 1 fader broken off; bleeding problems not mentioned. Two faders were ordered from the UK. They were received 8 weeks later, and the repair was completed 01/21/11. The delay was due to holiday season and overseas shipping. Repair cost for this mixer was $204.59, not $300.00.

It was returned 03/24/11 because channel 1 fader was faulty. The manufacturer was emailed 04/01 & 04/19 to get the defective part exchanged. The manufacturer never replied. Pyramid Audio left a message for the client on 05/21, 06/18, 07/01 and offered to refund the entire $204.59 paid from the previous repair. Instead, the client opted to bring us a donor mixer. We received the dead disassembled donor on 07/05.

We swapped channel 1 from the donor mixer and put it in mixer with the faulty channel. The customer was so anxious to have it back, he did not allow us the time to test the mixer to ensure that it was working properly.

The mixer was picked up after business hours due to his urgency on 08/06 at no charge. Neither him nor the two clerks at the front counter noticed or mentioned there was any damage to the crossfader.

Pyramid Audio admits 4 weeks (07/05 ? 08/05) is abnormally long for a repair.

Ultimately we had offered him a refund that was refused, and did what the customer asked: attempted to repair one broken unit with a supposedly good donor unit that we were unable to test before releasing to the customer.

CitySearch Requires we rate so we put 3 stars to be neutral.

Doesn't Recommend

djrone

Joined 2 years ago

Terrible Service on DJ Gear. Brought in a DJ mixer with a broken channel fader and they ordered 2 of them from overseas so they would match on my 2-challen mixer. When I got it back both were bleeding badly - worse then the originals that had been replaced.

Pyramid tried to contact the manufacturer and claimed they were not responding so I had to eat the cost of the bad faders and they could not get any more. Why should I have to eat the cost of their own order?

Next I bring in a second matching mixer and just ask for them to put the channel faders from one mixer into the other since nobody could get a hold of the original manufacturer. They did this after 5 weeks of delay and numerous "where's my mixer" calls.

When I received the unit, the crossfader was completely broken off! I just gave up at that point and took the mixers off their hands.

Ultimately they were late, charged me for a dealer problem, and returned the mixers in worse condition than when I brought them in after about $300 in fees.

I never write reviews but the experience compelled me to warn other Austinites. I strongly advise finding an alternative even at higher cost. These guys simply are not worth your time.

Doesn't Recommend

Mike in Houston

Joined 2 years ago

Rip Off Confirmed. Found on the net that Pyramid was a Bang and Olufsen authorized repair center. Carted my B&O's to Austin. had to pay $69 x 2, diagnostic fees upfront. They called me two weeks later to say that my receiver had intermittent problems. NO Kidding !!!! That is why I took it in. Why state the obvious. They would not discuss anything else on the phone. Went back to Austin. Had to be assertive to talk to anyone that actually looked at anything. They had not opened the unit to investigate. They also said that I could pay $300 more upfront, that they would try to fix it, but with no guarantee. These folks just want your money. I called the Bang and Olufsen dealer in Houston. They recommend sending your itmes to Gramophone in Denver. Gramophone has returned my item. Work great ! $250, gauranteed for 6 months, and only 6 months due to vintage. Sad when B & O Houston has to recommend someone in Denver for repairs. Stay away. What a waste of $hundreds$ on gas and travel with Pyramid. I see that Pyramid now comments back disputing Rip off claims, but you can call B & O in Houston to see for yourself. They have many more horror stories of unsatisfied Pyramid victims.

Doesn't Recommend

austintx101x

Joined 2 years ago

Legal Robbery (RIPOFF). I went to drop off my Yamaha receiver today and the clerk told me it would be a $75.00 non refundable charge just to diagnos the problem. He wouldnt even discuss what the issue might have been, or a round about ball park figure. So right after I agreed, he told me that the technition is going on vacation and I probably wouldnt hear anything back from them for at least 3 weeks! That was enough for me to take it somewhere else. I took it to HD-TV Repair (Arrow) on Parmer Ln and the diagnostic fee was only $19.00!!!! Hope this review helps

Doesn't Recommend

TheBigGun

Joined 3 years ago

Doesn't work for me. I brought a high end modile amplifier to Pyramid Audio for repairs. I had beed referred to this place from Custom Sounds. I had even provided the internal amplifier schematics. Well as it turns out, their techs could not or would not work on the unit. I wasted two trips into Austin. Why not just tell me up front that they have and attitude problem in the back instead of wasting my time. I ended up taking it to a small shop in south Austin, where a couple of output drivers were replaced....BAM thats all it needed....

Recommends

lsteel007

Joined 3 years ago

Austin's best Service Company. My brand new television blew due to lightning and this company was called by the television company. Chris at Pyramid came all the way from Austin to Houston, arrived on time, had everything he needed to do the job and when the television was not repairable, prepared the necessary documents for my insurance company promptly. My claim was paid in short order and I am truly indebted to Chris at Pyramid Audio for that. Fantastic Company!!! Highly recommended. Signed, Attorney in Houston