God, I hate to ask this…

I'm so sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you.

I am on the other side of your situation, having lost a relative with a lot of high end equipment and a lot of media, and me trying to dispose of it in the best way possible. In fact, it's why I've joined here in the first place.

He was a music lover and had a high quality vinyl collection of over 10k albums that he planned to leave to my wife and I. We were able to persuade him a few years before he passed to sell that, as we had no place to keep it or the knowledge to sell it (you can see the story of it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Y1RGtG5I4&pp=ygUXdG9wcGVyIHZpbnlsIGNvbGxlY3Rpb24%3D and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Y1RGtG5I4&pp=ygUXdG9wcGVyIHZpbnlsIGNvbGxlY3Rpb24%3D)

When he did pass last year, I inherited a large amount of equipment that I have been selling over the past year on various platforms. It is time (and space) consuming. While I love and will keep some equipment, I do not consider myself an audiophile. Finding the value of much of this equipment is difficult for someone who is not a hobbyist/pro. I was fortunate enough to be able to sell off the entire Kaleidescape system to a single dealer who was a great help (more than a pallet of boxes). I'm still working on selling speakers, amps, and cables which are heavy and bulky to package/ship. While I've recently discovered TMR and would be willing to take a lower price, they aren't interested in the amps/processors as they are focused on 2 channel.

This experience is forcing me to look at all of my own "stuff", and part with much of what is more sentimental than actually used. As I don't actually want most of my parent's prized possessions, I'm sure my daughter will not want mine. I don't want to burden those left behind with the process that I am currently experiencing. I will at some point reach out to a local dealer and try to sell the whole package, but even getting to that point has taken time and effort. It's a difficult and emotional process.

To the OP...very sorry to hear. Hope all goes as well as it can.

I'm not in exactly the same boat...my health challenges have mostly affected quality of life. But I'm not getting younger. I'm thinking of thinning things down so that my wife won't get overwhelmed if I drop dead. Also I'd hate to see her taken advantage of if she tried to sell things.

You seem upbeat and thinking clearly about your situation, it is hard to read and my best wishes to you. 

Although morbid the Swiss practice the "Swedish Death Cleaning" starting around 65 years old.  I have begun this process while I still can move heavy stuff around. I have three Corvettes and two Harleys to deal with.  The Harleys are going, but the vettes are staying.  I enjoy them too much and they could easily be sold at the appropriate time.  

I also have the other side of the coin going in my household, without giving up to much my wife has been diagnosed with a rather severe neurological disorder.  And she has quite a bit of very nice "things" that she holds dear.  No way can I expect her to give them up.

Which brings me to my 2 cents...prioritize all of your audio holdings and keep what gives you the most joy and solace.  Create a detailed plan to dispose of whatever it is you decide to keep.  And do the Swedish thing on what you decide not to keep.

My kids don't want any of my audio gear which sort of pains me because they grew up in a house where music was a near constant.  And so it goes.

I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles and I will send some thoughts up to the big man.

Regards,

barts

Sorry to read of your health, I think this is something we all have to face and you are right, leaving it to a spouse or partner puts a greater burden on them. I bought pieces from a friend’s estate after he passed, in part to help out his widow. 

Maximizing return, for the sake of your estate, would require far more effort than "one stop" deals, like working with TMR or Sky-Fi. I also have Avantgardes (Duos) and they are a bargain today used, compared to the current new market prices.

Same with records, you can either try to maximize which involves more effort (or finding someone like I did, who was willing to take unwanted LPs (about 12 thousand at the time, leaving me with around 5k LPs)), removing them from my place, listing them, selling, shipping, and sending me 50% of the net. 

Yes, any dealer is going to give you far less than market, but the one key thing is to get them to take all of it (if that is what you want).

Other alternatives, with physical media and possibly gear- donate to a music school or library if they have the facilities to actually support such a gift.

I appreciate that part of this is peace of mind and not introducing more stress into your life. 

I wish you the best, 

I also extend my concerns for your health and second the idea to find a major cancer center. In Ohio, The James does amazing work. There are also many experimental therapies you may qualify for that could really extend your life.

But to your question:

My other hobby is astronomy and people accumulate a lot of stuff in that hobby. I have taken to helping widows liquidate their husband's stuff. I agree with your plan of bequeathing items. Since your friends won't talk about it, and it sounds like they don't need anything, how about a local club/group? I know these are harder to find, but they do exist. If you reach out to a few and communicate with their leader you may find someone you would trust to move your equipment on to people who would really enjoy it. I suspect media will be the hardest thing to sell. When I helped liquidate media in the past I went to a record fair and talked to each vendor. In the end I sold the vast majority of the media and got the family about $1,200. Sure, full retail was probably $4,000, but it was gone. I find most widows just want it gone. It brings back memories and sadness. 

Take care and don't give up.