Mort’s TV & Video Blog

Hiring a Professional for Your Audio Repair Needs

Posted May 1, 2017 & filed under Audio Repair.

Whether you’re an enthusiast or just enjoy the clean sound of your high-quality audio equipment, it is always important to hire the professionals for all of your audio repair needs. Ensure the music keeps on flowing and only trust your beloved vintage or new stereo equipment to expert, seasoned hands. DIY or repair done by the inexperienced can go terribly wrong (especially when it comes to vintage equipment). So, if you find there’s an issue with your audio equipment, bring it into Mort’s for expert care. We are the trusted name in audio repair for Newtown and the surrounding areas.

Maybe your equipment won’t turn on, the pitch is off, or your old record player requires a specific needle or a drive belt. Whatever you need, Mort’s can help! And, as experts in the industry, we want to look out for audio equipment everywhere! So, we have a few suggestions for you on how to make sure you are taking your audio equipment to a reputable shop.

Do they work on what you’ve got?
Not all audio equipment is the same. So make sure the audio repair shop you choose can fix the particular piece you have. Not all audio repair shops work on all brands like we do here at Mort’s TV & Video.

How long have they been in the industry?
Experience usually equals quality, especially when it comes to detailed work like audio repair. At Mort’s we’ve been in the audio repair industry for more than 50 years. We are also certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

Are they certified?
Make sure that the audio repair professionals are certified. For example, at Mort’s, we’re not just ISCET certified. We are also certified Media Systems Technicians, Certified Service Managers and Certified Customer Service Representatives.

What is their reputation like?
Do some research and go online and read some reviews. Yelp is a great source for reviews, as is Google. Mort’s TV & Video has some great reviews on those two sites.

Do they know what they’re talking about?
Come down and talk to us here at Mort’s TV & Video to learn more about our audio repair services and how we can help. We can give you an estimate of how much the repair work will cost after you give us a rundown of what’s wrong with your audio equipment. All of our work is done by us, and we do not ship your audio equipment to a third party for any repairs.

No matter your audio repair needs, trust the experts at Mort’s TV & Video. Contact Us or give us a call today at (215) 945-8381 to learn more about our audio repair for Newtown and the surrounding areas.

The Return of the Turntable: Why Vinyl Has Made a Comeback

Posted March 16, 2017 & filed under Vintage Audio.

In an era dominated by streaming sites and downloads, there has been a new development in audio consumption for true music lovers; the resurgence of the vinyl record. So, it’s no wonder you’re looking into vintage audio for sale in Bristol! It’s become popular all over the world and we think it could even be here to stay as it seems many music fans are set to putting the needle to the record. Vinyl records and record players have made a significant cultural comeback in the last few years; record sales grew by more than 50% in 2014, the highest since 1996! And, the upward curve continues to grow as more and more people opt for more collectible media that can’t be lost in the digital cloud.

Why the comeback? It could be motivated by nostalgia; a tangible, distinctive listening experience unlike that of the digital age. Vinyl records represent a more accurate copy of a master recording than the glossy digital files that the average person has stored on their phones. And, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of the vinyl sound; that crackle that comes when you place that large disc on a record player.

Many people are even bringing back the listening station in their home, complete with turntable/record player, receiver, speakers, amplifiers and a comfortable chair just for listening to their favorite tunes. An LP gives you more than just hitting play on a smartphone; it comes with a certain experience you can’t get anywhere else; from the opening of the sleeve to the drop of the needle.

Vinyl not only sounds different but also has a possessive quality that downloads can’t provide. With vinyl, you not only have the ability to collect and display your favorite albums; you can actually hold them in your hands, admire their cover art and pass them down for generations. You can’t exactly pass down an mp3, can you!

Ready to get started? Whether you’ve been building your vinyl collection for some time or are just getting started, make sure you have the proper equipment! At Mort’s, we sell record players, turntables and everything you need to get your vinyl collection up, running and in listening order.

We have the largest selection of vintage audio and used stereo equipment in the area. Come see all of our vintage audio for sale in Bristol at Mort’s TV & Video today! Call 215-945-8381 to learn more about all of the vintage audio services we offer, or you can Contact Us.

Now Selling Vintage Audio!

Posted December 22, 2016 & filed under Vintage Audio.

We are happy to announce that we have expanded our business. We recently bought out another store that was selling used and vintage audio equipment, and we now have all their inventory. We have a large selection of items for sale. Not only can you get your audio equipment fixed at our store, but you can also find equipment to take home with you or replace anything beyond repair.

If you are looking to find vintage audio for sale, check out our selection! Here are some of the items you can find.

Stereos
8-Track Players
Speakers
Cassette Decks
DVD Players
Amplifiers
CD Players
Turntables
Equalizers
And More!

We have the largest selection of vintage audio and used stereo equipment in the area! This includes many name brands like Pioneer, Panasonic, Fisher, Kenwood, Toshiba, Philips, Sony, Yamaha, Optonica and many more!

If you like going back to a simpler time or just have old cassette tapes or records sitting around that need to be played, we may have just what you need to put them back into use. Come browse the selection at our store to find used stereo equipment for your home.

We are excited about this expansion of our business. We know many people love and enjoy their vintage audio equipment, and we want to provide even more opportunities for these classic items to stay in use. So whether you already have vintage audio that you use regularly, have been collecting these items for years or would like to start a collection, you can find a great selection to choose from in our store.

As always, if you have vintage audio in need or repair, you can bring that to us! Our certified technicians do all repairs on site. We have more than 50 years of experience repairing audio equipment.

To learn more about the used and vintage audio for sale at our store, stop in at 4532 New Falls Road in Levittown, PA. You can also give us a call at 215-945-8381 or Contact Us for more information.

One Turntable and a Needle Elicits Vintage Audio Repair

Posted August 24, 2016 & filed under Audio Repair, Vintage Audio.

A vintage turntable can be looked upon as a collector’s item. The last few years within the music industry have seen a lot of trends relating to the old being brought back in a new form, vinyl fitting into this. As such, record players have become a hot commodity again.

If you are looking into buying a vintage turntable, Mort’s TV & Video would like to share some vintage audio repair expertise to Bristol area residents and denizens of all points in and around greater Philadelphia. If you buy one and discover it needs some work, you can bring that turntable to us. We can take care of any and all vintage audio repair needs for you.

A record player can play 78s (records that are played at 78 RPMs), these coming before the year 1940. 78s are often the home of rare, old audio. Certain albums of the classical, blues, jazz varieties can only be found in this format, so if this is an area of interest for you, having a local vintage audio repair specialist handy is all but a requirement.

Usually, older turntables are made of aluminum, plastic or steel—plastic being the obvious cheapest option. These types of record players enjoyed their greatest popularity on the market in the 1980s, operating via weak powered motors. They often have no mats. You may also find that the plastic plinth and the plastic arms do not encounter efficient counterweight. Turntables were once made of steel because they were cheap to make—this at the expense of quality—resulting in inconsistent motor speeds. The lack of stability becomes very pronounced once a record is listened to. Aluminum record players were more expensive to consumers but offered great sound quality. They were topped in rubber which aided in the effort to decrease friction and noise. Ball bearings or roller bearings were put to use in the spindle, also aiding in noise reduction.

The drive that moves the turntable is of particular note when seeking out this type of vintage audio equipment. A belt drive system uses a less expensive motor than an idler-wheel drive system, but it still absorbs a lot of the vibrations and motor noise. An idler-wheel drive system was the most common type until the 1970s—a rubberized drive system that wore down and decomposed as time passed. A direct drive system is the variety one tends to see in DJs turntables (not home or common audio turntables). Direct drives cause the motors to vibrate, which, obviously, tends towards causing the entire record to vibrate. When you buy a vintage turntable, maintenance is the key. Finding a reputable and trustworthy vintage audio repair shop is your first step.

So when you need vintage audio repair for your Bristol area equipment, call or visit Mort’s TV & Video. Call us at 215-945-8381 or Contact Us to learn more about vintage audio repair.

Get That Old Audio Equipment Running Like New

Posted July 5, 2016 & filed under Audio Repair.

Do you have old stereo equipment that you would like to bring back to life? Why not bring your old technology into Mort’s for an audio repair in Philadelphia? Maybe you have on old record player/turntable in need of a specific needle or a drive belt? We have a few ideas to get that stuff working right and proper. The following is a list of the main component parts that assemble to form a stereo as well as the purposes they serve.

Amplifiers

A standard receiver tends to carry three or four different components. A tuner allows you to listen to your radio, tuning into different stations. A pre-amplifier moves the signal from other components, allowing you to choose from them, adjust the volume and will amplify sound from the unit. Your system also has a power amplifier, which accepts the signal from the pre-amplifier, making the signal that actually creates the functionality of the speakers.

Record Player

A vintage audio boom has been underway for some time now—people who prefer turntables and vinyl. The thought process is that vinyl makes for the truest sound for music playback. Record players and records are as popular as ever they have been. Common problems due pop up with record players like timing (slow turn), no turn, off-pitch playback and needle skipping off of the record. Bring it into us, we will give it a look and get it up and running for you.

Speakers

Speakers convert the electrical signal coming from the amplifier into acoustic energy. Use a variety of speakers when assembling your stereo system. It depends on the individual set of ears, as far as what is preferred—your preferred speaker is up to you and you alone. Perhaps you like bass and seek out a speaker oriented for such. Avoid high-end speakers because they are not designed for bass output.

Tuner

Some people keep it simple, standard radio being their preferred listening mode. If that is your thing, invest in a good tuner. Good ones are out there and available as used products. If cost is not an issue, ample fancy, high-end tuners are still being made today.

These are just a few parts of a good stereo system. Depending on how much you want to spend, there are plenty of other components that can go into a good stereo system.

Are you interested in learning more about audio repair in Philadelphia? Call Mort’s TV & Video at 215-945-8381, or you can Contact Us.