2. misc-audio
  3. 984754479

Buying "Sound Unheard"

I find myself in a quandry. As much as I know (and recommend) that "audition, audition, audition before purchasing" is the best means to system matching and "audio fulfillment," I find myself doing somewhat the opposite and purchasing quality equipment based on reviews and more importantly, the opinions of peers. Luckily, in my last three purchases (phono stage, cartridge, and now line stage) I've been fortunate in that they've been major boosts to my system. Living where I do, there just isn't access to the brands I'm interested in, plus my schedule is unforgiving. I'm curious as to how many others find themselves in this position, and the resources they use to get around it (including the obvious one - this web site!). As many threads as I see inquiring as to the characteristics of this-and-that, I would suspect that many of "us," especially those in rural or semi-rural areas are in this position. Just Curious. -John
musikdok
slowhand
610 posts
 
I agree with Garfish, you can't do better than progressiveaudio.com they are located in Columbus, Ohio and I have alway found them to be very helpful and extremely fair.
sedond
1,387 posts
 
le'see - a total of 12 negative wotes for recommending that ya buy used or get a money-back in-home trial guarantee if buying gnu from a dealer. and that's after subtracting the positive wotes i *know* i got, cuz i was told in priwate correspondence. ;~) wazzup w/*that*?!? this *is* audiogon, isn't it? where the main purpose of the site is to buy/sell used equipment? and ask for adwice about stuff ya mite not be able to get 1st-hand experience with? (like what this thread's title suggests?) someone *please* correct me if i'm wrong! at this rate, my positive wotes may go back under 200... ;~)

doug s.

musikdok OP
120 posts
 
Gave ya a few positives to offset yure detraktors Sedond. Least I could do for yure good advice!
trelja
3,223 posts
 
I have always been one of the more fervant people about not buying what you haven't heard. I believe it is good advice. I should follow it. You never know how a component will sound in your system. Even the best can sound bad in your system. It all depends on matching. Two weeks ago, I won an auction for a cable from a company with a few fervent followers, and a lot of hype. Try it, you'll like it. That's what these people say to everyone. Well, it did not turn out well in my system. Worst sounding cable I have tried so far. So now what do I do? Ask for a refund? Put it up for sale here, in hopes it will work out for someone else? Should have just went with what I know.
costrosk
101 posts
 
Late with my response again. Arrrrgh, where does the time fly? Well, anyway, my suggestion is to get your primary system up and happy making with only auditioned gear, then play with unheard/unseen gear on a piece by piece basis. I auditioned a good bit for my primary system, but bought my entire secondary system on line. Like them both, recognize their respective weaknesses, and can now comfortably fool around with parts and pieces in both. The one component I find toughest to consider on-line remains the speaker - it's so critical to the whole system sound, and so difficult to gauge whether someone else hears things similarly to me. I read alot of recommendations for Spendors, but when I actually heard them I was hugely unimpressed. No one ever even mentions Silverline SR-17s, but for my system they are wonderful. Still, I shouldn't be surprised to one day find myself buying a used pair of Dunlavys, or a new set of NewForm 645s, or whatever happens to float my boat that day. I treat it like gambling - the wise man never gambles, but your average shmoe can get by if he can remember to never gamble more than he can actually afford to lose. Unlike the wise man, every once in a while, the average shmoe wins big.

chas
More to discover