Do any of the uk members know what has happened to B +W in worthing and if it is true they are no longer servicing Nakamichi Cassette Decks?
I just checked around and another B & O Store closed because of Brexit. https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2019/11/brexit-blamed-on-closure-of-lincoln-bang-olufsen-store/
...sir, David O meant hifi- Bowers&Wilkins, not Bang&Olufsen. but yes, costumer loss due to covid must have been the main reason for that. @ David O: try to get hold of board member TooCool4 - he might know more or even a solution...
Yep, my brain is mush right now, either way I own both brands and love all of it, plus a few Nakamichis sprinkled around the side. Hopefully you can get your Nakamichi fixed David O, my 202 won't spin the tape around anymore and it's one of my favorite decks. It was actually sitting in a guys yard when I "saved" it, luckily it wasn't outside very long.
fact: B&W has closed the business so far... ok, here we're going off topic, but yes, 202 is nice, i also like the undirectional autoreverse (i have a 505)
Thanks for all the replies, the B + W Worthing website is down and they are not taking phone calls. It will be a real shame if they have gone as they have reliably serviced my Naks in the past. I would be upset if my Dragon would not be able to be kept on the road in future. Is there anyone one here local with local knowledge.
Yes Bowers & Wilkins Nakamichi are closing down by end of this month, as I type so in 5 days time this Friday 31st of July. I spoke to them at the beginning of the month, they are closing for a number of reasons. Finding it hard to get all the parts they need, a job that normally take a few hours now take 3 days to do due to trying to find parts. The last nail in the coffin is Covid19. It’s a shame as I take my CR-7 there for a service every 2 – 3 years. I asked the engineer if he will carry on doing private work on his own but he said no, so not sure what we will do in the UK now.
Thanks for the post TooCool4. Cassette desk servicing is a dying skill. I wonder if there is any chance to salvage any of the remaining parts or jigs?
David O i don’t know but someone from Tapeheads did write to them about what you propose, but got no reply.
I'd try to contact someone familar with the store, it would be a shame if any of the test equipment and tapes got tossed.
Hi all, yes, I'm sorry to say that B&W Nak repairs have indeed closed their doors. I spoke to Paul the manager there and he's retiring - they've done lots of work for me in the past and have been superb. HOWEVER!! There is light at the end of the tunnel... I've discovered an absolutely EXCELLENT UK technician who's just doing some work on a previously 'un-repairable' Dragon for me at the moment. I'll post the full story with the pictures as soon as I get it back - it's quite a tale. Sorry to keep you in suspense but it'll be worth it...
That's sad news indeed. Another good service closes And that's a good news. My Dragon is still waiting for a fix for a very upsetting failure that seems unrepairable. I look forward for more info, @Andy Wood
Hiya all. There was a company I used sometime ago to service my Sony DAT machine. They were located in Wembley, NW London. Anyway, recently my DAT machine was playing up again, so I located my original service receipt and contacted them. They've now moved to Chesham, Bucks, and they can still service the unit for me. The best thing I found out was that they were also able to service my Nakamichi CR7 as one of their engineers used to work for B & W/Nakamichi! They should know what they're doing. Hopefully, after this lockdown eases I'll be able to avail myself of their services. Oh yeah, I nearly forgot, the name of this company is:- ART (Audio Related Technology). audiorelated.com. Phone number:- 01494794286.
Thanks for the info Dinosaur, I will have to check them out. This is good news if they can service Nakamichi's.
Wondering if there are any reputable "cottage" based cassette deck techies in the UK that do repairs and rehabs, kind of like several around the USA? Would be good to learn about the smaller services around Great Britain. Cheers,
This guy is local to me in Kent, in fact I'm his postman! He's a whizz with Naks. He gets them sent to him from all around the world! He's serviced my D6C and various other bits and bobs and always does a brilliant job. https://www.audiophilesclinic.co.uk/
My Dragon went to Wilkinsons today (Wilkinson, Nelson, Lancashire. UK). I dropped it off. They seem very knowledgeable and experienced. It has the usual problems, clicking naac and chews tapes in reverse. I will report back in a few months but i am confident of a good job. They are stacked with work and Naks.
Wilkinsons have successfully fixed the clicking Naac and also the playing in ‘reverse’ usual problems. My Dragon is a very late Dragon 308** and only has 15 of the orange caps, that are being replaced. It is currently undergoing a soak test. I delivered it in person. They have much experience with Naks and Dragons and have been amazing. This has been a real find for me and they have been brilliant. I will be picking it up in the next couple of weeks.
