Cody, first we are trapped by market forces. Not unalike the car-business, you suffer a huge writeoff percentage as soon as you carry (drive) off your jewel from the seller's premises. The second trap is indeed psychological, I think, once we are bitten by the update-bug, which can become a true addiction, as improvements become incremently smaller and prices get higher and higher. Addictions cannot be justified, they can only be rationalised.....and they are difficult to stop. |
Obsolesense is a powerful thing to get you going toward Audiophilia Nervousa. |
Detlof- Very good statement, the only thing I would like to add is Linn CD12 for 11k......where!?!?!? heh heh heh This hobby is like crack its hard to stop once your hooked. ~Tim |
I suppose we justify this behavior because it is means upon
which we achieve an end. (Our perception of correct sound
dynamics/timbre etc..) Unfortunately, the process is
difficult, as we all know, because every component plays
a vitual role in the process. Once you've assembled a fine
sounding system, end the equipment quest. Relax and Enjoy.
Play a round of golf and smell the roses! Bill |
Isn't obsolesence often nothing but mental? Ourselves being seduced by the mags, the stores, the advertising, or the keeping up with the Jones'? Don't know, just asking. After all, there are a few "classics" around, be it speakers, electronics, tweaks, which have endured the test of time, I think, or rather seem to "hear".
Cheers, |
The beauty and power of the Internet has provided a means to buy and sell components, and minimize the loss. I have bought and sold on AudiogoN. Paid too much for some things and saved lots on others, and it nets out.
The market forces will challenge hi end manufactors and conventional retail outlets to adopt to the e-business model. |
The pain of selling near-new that you paid retail for and getting approx. 50% of retail would be unbearable, IMO. If somebody paid $20K for the CD12 within the past couple years and is now taking a $9K loss to sell, I have to wonder what they're moving to. Selling at a loss is painful if you bought the piece just "to try it out". You lose money a few times, you become a lot more patient when buying a piece for that reason. Selling at a loss something you paid 50% of retail a couple years ago, used it for a couple years and now sell for 40% of retail is rational (at least in audiophile terms), and not too painful. -Kirk |
I agree with Kirk above. I never buy for less than 20-30% off list if new and 40-50% off list if used less than 2 years old. And I usually keep the equipment I buy for a period of time say 5 years. My current CD player is 10 years old and I am looking to upgrade. The rest of my equipment is less than 2 years old. |
It hurts more when you it won't sell. |
Everything I own (cars and audio gear) is used. I still take a hit when I sell put it's a smaller hit and not a painful. |
I (so far) usually move up,so the pain is offset by the new toy. Sort of like if you have a head ache and then you stub your toe,severely; the head ache doesn't seem as bad. |
I think most people list the retail price of the item when it was new, and base the used price off that. I don't list an item until I know what others are selling it for, and thats how I base my price. One must expect to take a loss when selling an item, but luckily, I haven't been hit too bad. I can't seem to sell my Marantz DV18, and I've got it listed for less than 50% for what I have paid. I've decided its just not worth selling at this point:/ |
I no longer view losing money as "losses", but rather as valuable learning experiences. Example, a couple years ago I bought a nice used tube amp, used it for 30 days and sold it for $300. less than I paid. Was it worth it? Yes, every cent. I very happily went back to my big, fast, solid SS amp.
I've done that with many components, wires, PCs etc. But, I'm not totally stupid, ie I don't work at losing money in this hobby. How much would you pay for a 3 credit History course in college? How about a Music Appreciation course, or guitar lessons? Well, I see it sort of like that.
The philosophy I've used the last few years is "consider it carefully, and then never look back". Strange, but true. Cheers. Craig |
I think it all works out in the end. You win some and you lose some. I just concentrate on the next upgrade and I soon forget about the loss. |
It's not a good thing, but honestly it doesn't bother me much. I lose a couple bucks here and there trying things out. It's a hobby & I enjoy it. It's no different than spending money to take a trip or eating out.
I have had a few situations where I cannot get X dollars for something and I just decide to keep it. |
think of it this way: when you're buying new it really only costs half! such a deal! |
~~~~Cody, some people have more money to play with. If audio person "A" makes $30k a year, they will be more concerned than Audio person "B", who makes $300k a year. To someone who makes $6k a week, a loss on a new component isn't as big a deal as Audio person "A" would think it was. Not to say people like to take a loss, it doesn't make them lose any sleep.
~~~~Moving on to the new and improved model is thrill, like a gift wrapped present. If one gets their enjoyment by trying out new gear, so be it. We all spend some money on unprofitable items. It just hurts some of us more than others.
~~~~Just The Facts, |
Garfish
Has your dear Mccormack endured "attacks" from tubed gear?
I´m stuck with lesser SS gear due to current economic constranings but some of my ´phile friends still swear by the tubed gear.....
Could you comment further, If you deem more appropriate drop me a private e-mail note
Thanks
Luis |
Luis your solid state isn't necessarily "lesser" at all; many of us prefer solid state for numerous reasons. Myself I swear *at* tube equipment, not by it. But others love it & that's fine for them; I'm glad they're happy & I'm glad that I'm happy too. I don't bash those who prefer glassware, just don't understand them, but that's cool. It's whatever sound that you prefer: that's what's best - for *you*. |
Luis; I don't mind posting my feelings about tube amps vs SS-- actually, I like like both, and for some music much prefer tubes-- Jacintha, Diana Krall, and Shirley Horn smooth jazz ballads for instance.
Actually, Bob B. said it well for me too. I use and swear by a good tubed pre-amp, but I stick with my "hot rodded" McCormack amp because I listen to a LOT of hard driving Blues/Rock music that sounds best with excellent bass control, and thus good PRT. Some (including me) think that the Rev. A McCormack sounds very smooth and somewhat tube-like in the mids and low treble. And I can tell you that Steve McCormack considers it a compliment when someone says his amps sound "tubelike", especially in the mid-range. Cheers. Craig |
Garfish:
The difference in presentation not necesarily means better and I agree 100 % with you that in this hobby, "ones ears" do rule and is a mistake to try to adapt your preferences to others...... I try to explore as many different options as I can with an open mind and ears and then I decide if they suit me or not....
Time will come when a much better SS amp will hit my listening space.... for the time being
Cheers!!!!!! |
