The positive reviews of Jeff Galin's repair of Nakamichi cassette decks lead me to entrust him with working on mine. I sent it to him in September of 2023. Nearly 3 years later I've not received any update whatsoever about when it would be completed. It's been 2 years since my first follow up inquiry wherin I politely asked him for an update, adding that I understood he may have been backlogged and/or had other issues. We all have our priorities. But I never heard back from him with an explanation of any kind. I don't know it'll ever get done at this point. In the meantime I've lost interest in my cassettes. They're just sitting there while streaming music has become a better option. It's certainly more reliable, and my nostalgic feelings regarding my history with cassettes has faded as I no longer have my Nak. Who has taken away my enthusiasm for the format? Electronic Service Labs. I wish I would have not bothered to think about having a seemingly minor transport repair done. It's not worth this feeling of not being valued as a customer who has been patient. Live and learn.... read more

Zero communication. No acknowledgement of receipt of my cassette deck, no response to emails and phone calls. Like it just disappeared even though I do have a delivery receipt from UPS. Don't know if I'll ever see my deck again after spending well over $100 to ship it to Jeff and ESL. Incredibly unprofessional. I wish I had researched more. I would have chosen a different shop. read more

Sent my 7A in September and got an email confirming receipt. However, after multiple attempt to follow up completely ghosted. Totally regret shipping off my deck. For all I know, he's resold it on eBay, etc and I'm fucked! I'd give ZERO stars if that was an option!!!! read more

Jeff may not be the best communicator, but when you do get the equipment back, it is perfection. As much as I hated the customer experience, I'd send him a valued piece in a hot minute. My advice is to be patient. It's worth it. read more

They send back fixed internally Nakamichi deck but with damaged front panel. Took them 10 months to overhaul my NOS deck, I purchased. Upon return the front panel found to have a dent that was not there when I sent it. Jeff from ES Labs responded to me they will file the claim to the shipper and refund the money. After this statement they never came back to me and failed to respond to multiple emails and phone calls. I spent almost $1,100 on their service Plus original $700 on the deck and I end up with the unit that has a damaged front that I won't be able to sell 4 less than half of that. I have filed a case via credit card bank and complaint to Better Business Bureau. If I won't get my money back I will file a claim in a Small Claim Court. They will not get away with that. This is the most unfair business engagement I have ever entered in my life. Avoid. read more

I don't know where the bad reviews came from regarding communication. I found his communication to be great, quick, detailed, and very helpful. Excellent knowledge, willingness to help and customer service. I would highly reccommend read more

ESL, I have been coming to this shop for over 30 years and Jeff and his TEAM has never fail me. excellent repair shop with ton of knowledge and advice. Thank you Jeff. Mr. Singh. read more

I dropped off my Nakamichi CR7a in the summer of 2017 so that Jeff could give me an estimate to repair and service the device. I have followed up numerous times and I have never heard back from him. He does not answer emails and he does not return phone calls. Who knows what he did with my cassette deck. I am filing a consumer complaint and I will be filing a small claims suit next week to get my machine back. Very unprofessional. Patronize ESL if you like slooooow service and no call backs. read more

Per what other posters have said here, ESL does good work, they just don't communicate very well. If you get a call-back or email response, consider yourself lucky. That said, they know their stuff. read more

Excellent repair of vintage audio equipment. But a horribly inexcusable lack of communication makes you suspect fraud. I had an identical experience as the 1-star reviewer from 10/21/2017, just a few months prior. Sent my deck in December 2016. Told it could take 6-8 months. After 10 months passed I tried contacting him, by every possible method, repeatedly over many weeks. I got absolutely no response, even as my tone became increasingly forceful but professional. I even said I'd be alerting any and all authorities I could, although the 10 months meant PayPal wouldn't help (who processed the $50 down payment). But in the end, I got it back fully repaired as promised. The final invoice said repairs were completed 1 year TO THE DAY from when it began. He said 6-8 months; it took 12; he never communicated in the slightest. He never acknowledged (let alone apologized for) his total lack of communication, which WILL drive you crazy and is utterly inexcusable. But the repair was great and there are few if any capable of doing the work! 5 stars for skill; 0 stars for customer service. read more

Sent my Nakamichi LX-5 cassette deck to Jeff Galin for repair on 1/23/17. Payment of $75.00 was made via Paypal for the repair estimate. Received confirmation that the deck was received on 1/24/17. Their site stated that the repair would be 6-8 months but I was willing to wait to have this fine deck repaired. After many emails and several phone calls leaving messages simply asking for a response, I have heard nothing from Electronic Sevice Labs. I'm not sure they are still in business or if they simply "stole" my deck. A quick response via email shouldn't take too much effort. read more

This review is based on my experience trying to have my Nakamichi cassette deck repaired. I chose Electronic Service Labs for the repair of my cassette deck because they are one of the few service facilities specializing in Nakamichi brand cassette decks. I mailed my Nakamichi 482z cassette deck to Mr. Jeff Galin of Electronic Service Labs for repair on May 13, 2016, and got an email acknowledging receipt of the unit on May 16. Between May 16, 2016, and July 7, 2017 I heard NOTHING from Electronic Service Labs about my cassette deck or its repair During this time, I called them at least twice. I spoke to an employee both times and was told that the repair was in Mr. Galin's hands. I e-mailed Mr. Galin three times and finally sent a certified letter to Mr. Galin. With each phone call, e-mail, and finally the certified letter I requested a call or note back from Mr. Galin concerning the status of my cassette deck but received no reply of any kind. Finally, I decided to drive to Electronic Service Labs, which is 444 miles from my home round trip. Once more I called Mr. Galin to let him know I wanted the unit back and that I would be there to pick it up. Again I requested a return call, and again he failed to respond. I did recover my cassette deck when I drove up to Wethersfield. After fourteen months at Electronic Service Labs it is in exactly the same condition it was when I mailed it to them in the first place. The customer service I received from this company is completely unacceptable to me. read more

Brought two "vintage" 80's bookshelf stereo/turntable combo's in to get one in working order..and the job was completed quickly and the cost was extremely reasonable!! So happy to have found ES Labs and am happily listening to all my vinyl again!! :) read more

I have Carver equipment that needed some care. Service Labs took excellent care of my two pre amps and my power amp. They know the older stuff and are good, honest guys. I highly recommend them. read more

I have taken several pieces of high-end audio equipment to ESL (McIntosh, Krell, Clearaudio) and I always received excellent service. These guys are knowledgable, experienced, reliable, efficient and friendly. Always happy with the results I received. read more

I have a limited edition nakamichi 1000zxl that has been there for almost two years. It took $600 for a pelican case + a fair sum to fedex (ground) it there (100 lb huge case). The deck is worth over $10k and it was agreed it would cost only slightly less than that to work on it. I selected them because I only want to do this once and they have the best stock of parts and the reputation for quality work as well. I pre-approved work to expedite the repair with the above estimate in mind. Things were ok for about 3 month at which time I was told the servicing was complete. I asked for the invoice so I could pay and have not been able to get it (or obviously t deck since. At first calls were answered and it was always "will be done in a few days", "will be done by the end of today", etc. I even spoke. Once or twice to a worker who said Jeff gets distracted, etc., and agreed there was no excuse for the delay. Since then all calls go to voicemail and are never returned. E-mails are e other never answered. I am getting ready to file a complaint with Connecticut's consumer protection agency/licensing board but won't get time to finish the paperwork for another month. I gather their license is up for renewal in August. I still believe the work is q uality (although I have no evidence yet, obviously), although I wonder how many of t he rubber replacements are now permanently. In some shape or degraded just for om sitting packed. In the case on the loading dock. The person who said it makes you s unspectacular fraud certainly hit it on the head. I will be happy to update this with better news should I ever get my deck back. I doubt they ever read this, though. read more

I called this place to order a part for my Nakamichi tape deck and I was told it was in stock of 35 dollars. I was then sent an e-mail with the total cost with shipping charges. When I saw there shipping cost of 15 dollars to send a part the Weight and size of a quarter, I called and asked if there was a mistake on the invoice and was told that was there flat rate to ship to Austin Texas. I was very nice and asked if they could drop there shipping costs and I was told, NO! Then was told if I really needed the part to go look on eBay and find it there and was hung up on. Wow, what sad costumer service. I think they are taking advantage of there costumers by jacking there shipping costs to make a Larger profit Margin. This is very bad business practice and unfair to the consumer. This is why I will only give this place one star. read more