Cowan Audio Services

Cowan Audio Services Repairs & Restorations to all types of Stereo, Audio and Hifi Equipment. 1970's vintage a specialty. Thanks Glen. I also repair valve radios.

****UPDATE**** As from the 7th August Cowan Audio Services location has now changed. I am operating from my home in Stokes Valley so the business address is no longer public. Please contact me or see my website for further information. Email - [email protected]
Cell - 027-414-8583

Welcome to Cowan Audio Services in Wellington and its owner Glen who can repair/service/restore amplifier

s, stereo and audio equipment whether it be modern, classic or vintage. Based in Lower Hutt is a very experienced, qualified audio technician and a long time enthusiast who prides himself in providing a high quality service and will treat and repair your equipment as if it were his own. Cowan Audio can also service the following equipment:

Amplifiers – Modern to Classic & Vintage

Receivers – Home Theater / Modern to Classic & Vintage
1960’s / 1970’s / 1980’s / 1990’s Audio Gear and so on.. Guitar Amplifiers - Valve

Turntables (Depends on make/model and subject to parts being available etc)

Valve Radios – Wooden and Bakelite

Valve/Tube Amplifiers & Receivers

Any make such as Denon / Marantz / Yamaha / Pioneer / Sansui / Luxman / Kenwood / Akai / Rotel / Hitachi / Trio / National / Technics / JVC / Sony / Sanyo / Fisher / Audio Research / Onkyo / Harman Kardon and more...

Anything else – Message via Facebook/Call/Text Glen on 027-414-8583 we’re based in Wellington or email –
[email protected]

We also buy stereo equipment mainly older/vintage stuff. Does not have to be necessarily working and can be in any condition. Upon bringing in any repairs there will be an initial inspection charge of $100 (incl GST) per unit payable up front. From there and estimated cost will be given to repair the item. The $100 comes off the total repair cost once the job is completed and also covers time spent looking at and diagnosing the faulty unit and is non-refundable should the unit be deemed to be uneconomical/unrepairable. Eftpos or Cash is fine. Amongst my many talents is servicing and restoring classic and vintage audio gear as there now is a call for this sort of gear to be maintained. Pioneer/Sansui from the 1970's period is one my specialty areas and will service any other Make or Model from this "Golden Era" like Yamaha, Sony, Rotel, Luxman, Marantz, Kenwood, Toshiba, Denon, NAD, Technics, Quad, Leak, etc and as I have a love for this classic timeless and retro audio equipment and really enjoy 'Bringing Old HiFi Back To Life'. I have a fully setup and well equipped workshop with all the tools and test equipment to repair and align your equipment. My interest in this field since has been a life long passion which began when I was young so you can be rest assured that your repair is in the right hands.

Not often does some vintage top shelf Pioneer gear grace the workshop with its presence, but I was very fortunate to be ...
09/12/2024

Not often does some vintage top shelf Pioneer gear grace the workshop with its presence, but I was very fortunate to be able to work on this Spec 1 & Spec 4.
They both had been worked on previously (and quite badly in the preamp - whoever had been in there shouldn't have) but after a full service both are performing and sounding very nice indeed. A big thanks to Phil for aiding in the repair of the niggly VU meter issue.
I've had in my listening setup and this combination is one of the best I've heard for a while and the owner I hope will keep these in one his main setups 🤞

This unique and rather sought after Marantz 8B stereo tube amplifier was in for a service recently. The bias circuit was...
25/11/2024

This unique and rather sought after Marantz 8B stereo tube amplifier was in for a service recently. The bias circuit was a bit unhappy which in turn took out a couple of EL34's, replaced the associated cremated resistors and restored the bias power supply, changed the coupling capacitors in the output stage as part of some preventative maintenance and changed out a noisy 6BH6/6CG7. Is now running to spec and sounds great.

Sansui AU-717 picked up this afternoon by its owner. This had been in storage for a number of years which didn't do it a...
14/11/2024

Sansui AU-717 picked up this afternoon by its owner. This had been in storage for a number of years which didn't do it any favours.

Opening the thing up revealed some old repairs and the infamous brown glue smeared all over the power supply and power amplifier modules which had corroded a few resistors and other components including capacitors legs.

A complete power supply rebuild was needed along with new main filter caps as they were starting to bulge. Went over the rest of the electronics replacing several troublesome 2SA726's and the fusible resistors that always go high/open.

Gave the amp modules a once over with new bias/offset trimpots- these were exceptionally crusty.

Needless to say the all the work done brought it back to functioning perfectly.

Marantz 2265B - This nice and original receiver required a thorough service and some LEDs fitted to the dial backlightin...
10/11/2024

Marantz 2265B - This nice and original receiver required a thorough service and some LEDs fitted to the dial backlighting.
The FM tuner was way out of alignment but responded really well to some adjustments.
A general service/lube of all the controls & switches was needed. Now all back together and running great.

Been a while since I've posted anything but thought the following was worth a mention.Pioneer SX-1280 & SX-980 that both...
10/11/2024

Been a while since I've posted anything but thought the following was worth a mention.

Pioneer SX-1280 & SX-980 that both needed a full/comprehensive restoration.

A number of older repairs had been done on these including some rather interesting dial lamp/function indicator lamp modifications that were done a bit haphazardly. The plastic light diffuser on the SX-980 was actually broken in half among other things that needed addressing as well! A complete rework/rewiring of the lighting and function indicator lighting was required with warm white leds installed.

Needless to say a lot of time was spent and parts replaced on both receivers including and they are now performing and sounding great.

I'm sure the owner who purchased the SX-1280 new in Singapore is looking forward to having these back and in regular use again.

Recently went over this beautiful European Sansui 990db (9090db). What more can I say about this model - they are fantas...
29/07/2024

Recently went over this beautiful European Sansui 990db (9090db). What more can I say about this model - they are fantastic. Certainly looks nice in black.

Recently went over these two big Sansui receivers - G8000 & G8700. The 8700 replaced the 8000 as far as the timeline goe...
22/07/2024

Recently went over these two big Sansui receivers - G8000 & G8700. The 8700 replaced the 8000 as far as the timeline goes.
Both very similar internally but with the G8700, build quality had just started to cheapen ever so slightly with its build quality
The G8000 being older is more solid with its construction.
While I love the look of the G8000, there is something about the G8700 with the LED power meters & the digital display that also appeals.
Which one do you prefer?

Here's a selection of notable vintage hifi I've worked on over the past few months. If you need to get in touch with a r...
27/05/2024

Here's a selection of notable vintage hifi I've worked on over the past few months. If you need to get in touch with a repair enquiry send me an email [email protected]. or visit the website www.cowanaudioservices.co.nz.
Don't use messenger or post here to get in contact as I don't live on Facebook and more than likely won't see it, thanks 🙂

06/08/2023

As from Monday 7th August Cowan Audio Services will be back in operation.

The move was successful and the new workshop is all setup and ready to go. It's smaller than the previous place but very functional and hopefully this will be last time I will need to move for a while!

Thanks to those who helped me out :-)

I am now based at my home location in Stokes Valley and because of this the address will no longer be public. Customers will need to get in contact with me first to get these details before dropping off repairs.

My business hours have also changed - check this page or my web site for further information.

The hourly rate is staying the same and nothing else has been altered, so from tomorrow onwards its business as usual!

26/07/2023

Cowan Audio Services is going to be closed temporarily while a transition to a different workshop location takes place. Future updates will be posted on here and on the website.

Here's a collection of things I've serviced over the past while. Some very nice old hifi among all of this 👍
03/07/2023

Here's a collection of things I've serviced over the past while. Some very nice old hifi among all of this 👍

03/07/2023

Some of you may have noticed there hasn't been much activity from me the past few months, well I'm still operating but things have been very quiet on the work front. So I'm putting the feelers out and looking for some potential work.

This doesn't mean I'm going to start taking on stuff I don't touch such as B&O or radiograms and the likes. See my website for more information. I'm aware this could be a potential cutting off my nose despite my face scenario but seriously some gear isn't worth the pain and suffering, especially when it comes back with another problem or creates more hassle for me or the customer.

Seeking good quality audio gear to repair/service so get in touch with you may have and we'll deal with it on a case by case basis.

Cassette decks are now back in vogue and I may look at some brands/models depending on what they are.

Just a note please try to avoid sending me enquiries via Facebook messenger as it doesn't notify me most of time. Best email me [email protected], flick me a text or call during business hours.

Thanks for understanding and hopefully we can ride this out as I don't want to have to close the doors.

Address

Lower Hutt City

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+64274148583

Website

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