Easier in the thread I posted Mark Levinson to be a good candidate. I purchased my ML no. 334 in 2003 for $6,500.00. I resold it to TMR Audio last fall for $3,200. cash. The unit was never serviced or recapped. Pretty good return on investment.
I moved into Naim and would like to add them to my list. I really like their sound and their unlimited upgrade path.
I have doubled my money on McIntosh gear, after enjoying it for a few years . Kind of like Ferrari, McIntosh will always have people who will buy what they want, regardless of cost, maybe for nostalgic reasons, maybe status symbol....who knows but both have little depreciation and generous appreciation once they are a certain vintage.
I buy to hopefully achieve better sound, at this point I really don't care about the resale. As I write , I'm sitting here listening to my system.... it's never sounded better. So good I'm afraid to touch it.,. My latest toy, a Zesto Leto preamp has really enhanced my system, like next level realism. I got a great deal, the resale is irrelevant to me . It will probably be the last preamp I buy.
Back in the early 80s, Dynaco Stereo 70s could be had all day long for $50 - $75. Dyna MK-IIIs could be had for $100 - $125 a pair. I wish I would have filled my garage up with them at the time, and cashed out about now.
I've had good luck with McIntosh over the years. It doesn't make it better than some of the other brands. I also don't think McIntosh sales are really driven as much by advertising as history. It's a brand that has been out since the 40's. Over the years they have developed a reputation for good quality and good sound (sound subjective for me anyway). Sometimes it's so hard to audition some of the other great brands because of distribution. I have the McIntosh 601's, and love them, but would I have picked another brand if I had the opportunity to listen to them for any length of time? Perhaps. In this price range more people (around the world) know exactly what they are getting from McIntosh new or used. That said, McIntosh still offers only a 3 year, non transferable warranty on their electronics compared to someone like Bryston at 20 years.
As it has been said, McIntosh, Thorens, Marantz, ARC and others. I think particular models of brands are even more indicative of this. Some JBL speaker models, maybe the Garrard 301, some Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer receivers of the USA glory days of massive models, many of the models of McIntosh equipment. There is a vintage guy here in Ohio, Wooster Vintage Audio and he really finds great old Mac gear for resale.
What is low depreciation? If an item is 5 years or newer and sells for 60%.... or 6-10 years and sells for 50%... or 10-20 years and sells for 40%... would these items be considered low depreciation....what do you think... what might define “low”?
Classic gear like Marantz, Mac and ARC. Try buying a pair of Marantz Model Nine amps, or a Model 7 pre-amp. Big bucks for sure. Take a look at what an ARC SP-3 goes for these days.
If we would have been smart enough to invest in, and stock pile these early editions back in the late 70's and early 80's, it would have been akin to collecting collector cars.
I agree about McIntosh.... maybe not for everyone but sure holds its value. I bought a 5 year old C15 preamp locally for $700.... enjoyed it for 5 years and sold it on eBay for $1350...
Only brands which broke new ground and were built in the research era of audio (1950's and 60s) where items were not made to a price, or have become design icons. They still are the best too, hence they keep their value. Point to point wired, great compoinents such as excellent transformers, and rare. Many cross over into professional gear though. Original vintage pieces not only don't depreciate but also appreciate:
Western Electric amps, speakers, vacuum tubes...anything! RCA anything GE, Brimar, Mullard, RCA, United, WE etc vacuum tubes Altec Lansing horn speakers Original early Audio Note Ongaku 211 amp Early McIntosh amps Studer reel to reels (C37/J37) & their domestic Revox tube variants Philips 3501 1/4 inch reel to reel Early Ampex reel to reels Some PYE items Braun...all items Garrard 301 turntable Telefunken anything Neuman microphones early Nagaoka and Decca cartridges EMT turntables Early Ortofon cartridges and original Ortofon Danish long tonearms Early Quad amps and electrostatic speakers Early Tannoy speakers Linn LP12, Technics SL1200, older Thorens, some Lenco etc There's a lot more omitted here, especially early US, but you get my drift.
Very little modern because the VAT is lost immediately, many are mass produced so not rare, then it has to stand the test of time to start to become a legend. Going forward, I'd subjectively gamble on these turntables to hold their value e.g. Simon Yorke S9 turntable, early Michell Transcriptor, TW Acustic, Brinkman, etc..not necessarily the best, but blend price, design, quality and rarity. Some tube amps Kondo, Shindo, AN etc, and some speakers and drivers e.g. vitavox and B&W Nautilus may retain value too. But it will not be across the whole brand. One will need to pick a specific piece. Tricky, so buy for enjoyment only.
Definately B&W Loudspeakers,AR,Classe,Mark Levinson,Perreaux ,Klipsch, & Magnepan just to name a few . I would not touch McIntosh, Wilson, or ayre with a 10 foot pole. This is just my opinion.
If I was in the market for second hand equipment, I would only consider brands that service their retired equipment in house. On the other hand, look at the money early, Japanese, solid state is pulling in now. What will the download generation crave?
One brand that does not seem to hold it’s value that I don’t quite understand is Concert Fidelity. In particular, the preamplifiers and amplifiers are superb reference level pieces of equipment. I am not sure if it is the lack of name recognition or advertising?
I have bought and sold quite a few pieces over the years. I don’t buy very many brand new components. The problem with doing it this way is I’m unable to audition various pieces with my gear. Therefore, when I get something that doesn’t work, like a wyred4sound integrated a few years back, I’ll need to resell it. I have learned to stick with name brand equipment so if I do need to sell, I won’t lose money. So, akg_ca, let me answer objectively. Components, McIntosh Cables, Kimber Speakers-vintage JBL
All gear depreciates but IME bands with low depreciation have a combination of the following characteristics; 1. Well-regarded brand across their model range, for sound quality, build quality, and value (regardless of the price-point) 2. Models are stable for a relatively long period of time (i.e., the brand does not frequently change models ....think Lamm) 3. Top of their range, i.e., one of the better sounding, better built, values within a given price range An exception to this IMO is digital gear such as DACs and servers. Yesterday’s excellent digital gear is bettered by today’s very good digital gear
(in most cases)
and folks who need the cutting edge continue to pay nose-bleed level prices that will not be sustainable on the resale market. This trend should slow down when/if the designs become sorted out to the point where the changes are more about refinements than breaking new ground. Class D amplification sort of trends this way also.
IMO, contrary to what others posted , you can objectively know what products have better resale value than another. it's a given fact that some products whether audio, video, cars, boats, etc hold their resale value well , while others do not. If you do not recognize that ,well then you may be losing alot of $ if your the seller and making great deals if your the buyer!
My view is to buy products that bring the love of music to your home. Products that you value the most are valuable to you. They stay with you for a long time. Enjoyment in music is the price you pay.
I'd add Totem to the list....many after the 1st year 50% drop they remain pretty much there. Some classic models like the Mani 2 have barely lost resale...or increased !
I’ll say Ascend Acoustics for sure. Not so sure you would consider 3000 dollar speakers ’high end ’ or not.. You rarely see them for sale. I listed a set a set of Raal Towers on AVS forum @ 5 o’clock in the evening. In the morning when I got up, 6 buyers were waiting in line to buy them. The one I let have them put in dibs one hour after I listed them ... And contrary to what someone said on here, they put zero in any type of advertizing.... I just wish they made a tower " on steroids "
@jmcgrogan2 "Brands like ARC, Pass Labs, Sonus Faber, Vandersteen, VPI, etc., tend to
hold their resale value better, and be easier to re-sell due to name
recognition."
Totally agree with John. Any of the classic names seem to do best, that's why they've stayed in business as long as they have. And in many cases, the older products can reach the point where prices begin to increase.
For what it's worth, tube gear from these long standing companies tends to do pretty well over the long run
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