Metzger first became interested in vintage audio by listening to vinyl records. He said that when he left for college, he took his father’s mid-'70s turntable, receiver and speakers.
He soon began spending time on the internet reading about audio equipment and how it worked.
“I just kind of fell down the rabbit hole,” Metzger said. “Later, I started going to shops and meeting other audiophiles and asking a million questions and learning.”
Around 2012, Metzger and his father started remanufacturing and selling ink and toner cartridges from the same storefront where Metzger Vintage Audio is now.
To earn extra income on the side, Metzger bought, repaired and sold vintage audio equipment on the side for several years.
“It was for fun,” Metzger said. “It's a little extra beer money and just to goof around.”
Shortly after the pandemic started, many businesses instituted work from home policies and no longer needed ink and toner.
“Our business lost 70% because most of our clients were corporate clients,” Metzger said. “That was our bread and butter.”
In February 2021, Metzger decided to create a small “pop-up” version of what could become Metzger Vintage Audio in an unused space in the store. When he announced his plan to repair vintage audio equipment, interest was almost instant.
“It was immediate,” Metzger said. “It was better than I expected.”
Over the next year, Metzger said he began to build his business, and in April 2022 he took over the lease, redesigned the store and renamed the business he started with his father to Metzger Vintage Audio.
While Metzger sells audio equipment, accessories, records and books related to the music industry, he mostly focuses on repairs.
Metzger and his technicians are able to repair most electrical issues, he said, adding that most of the time, the equipment is just in need of maintenance.
“I’m not reinventing the wheel here,” Metzger said. “But we take pride in doing high-quality repairs on these vintage pieces.”
- Metzger Vintage Audio, 930 W. Parker Road, Ste. 502, Plano
- 972-901-0339. www.metzgervintageaudio.com
- Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. noon-7 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., Mon. closed
