Just curious. Most of my equipment I purchased new. My Firstwatt J2 was a demo that I swear was new. Outside of a DAC where latest tech may be desired, buying used (if a fair price) seems to be a great way to purchase something you normally would not be able to afford. Of course, condition, care of component etc needs to be taken into consideration
Mostly used but I won’t buy anything beat up. For me to buy it used it’s pretty much got to look and work like it’s new. It’s been a good strategy as some excellent buys are to be had. Plus, I think I’ve assembled a pretty credible system as well.
Used is a great way to go on equipment 10 years old or less. Electronics do age. Mainly electrolytic capacitors. More so in amplifiers, these start to decay significantly in 15 to 20 years. Mostly an issue for amplifiers, but this can affect DACs and other electronics as well. 20 year or older should purchased as "recapped". Especially so for amplifiers.
90% used except my preamp Michi P5 which’s $4k retail buying this preamp new comes with own issues distortion and hum when enable tone control kind regret but looks alone make it worth it lmao 😂 so gorgeous now I’m beta tester buying use power cord Interconnect and balance XLR like audioquest on eBay is complicated unless you can identify fake and authentic
My first gear was new: a Sansui AU-505 (still have and use), KLH 6s (long gone), a year-old Technics SL-1500 with Shure M91ED (still have and use those too). Some dealer demo gear bought since at a nice discount, and some new. Used is the way to go. I usually have a wish list, look for great deals, and grab the good ones if I can. I won't buy new, I have children in college.
Both, as with many here I imagine. Some great deals on used cables over the years, a couple of perfect REL subs for 200 bucks each, my Dennis Had amp was a couple of months old and around 400 bucks less than new, etc. A Linn Basik/Akito in near primo condition turned out to be a great thing, and although I look around for something to replace it from time to time it sounds so good it just stays.
For me it's a case of the greater the number of moving parts the greater the need to buy new when it comes to audio.
With speakers there's always the concern with surround rot and invisible damage to drivers (esp tweeters) and voice coils. I think piano at reasonably high volume is a good test for coil damage. You'll definitely know it when you hear it. A tremendously non musical screechy sound.
With amps there might be issues with calibration and imminent dry joints etc. My Creek Destiny amp I bought used soon developed issues with the pre/out bypass switch. Luckily I was able to bypass it with the use of jumper cables.
With the rest there's also the risk of various tweakery applied beforehand too. Frankly I'd rather buy a product as it was designed - not as a failed tweak job.
Having said that there was no other way of buying my current 1970s speakers than buying used. Thankfully the previous owner seemed to pay great respect in keeping it in original spec.
In any case it would always be good ethical practice to declare all mod history when selling. I had to when I sold my LP12.
Despite that the buyer couldn't seem to get it off my hands fast enough.
I prefer to rebuild/restore used gear that might have issues, especially turntables. Currently run a rebuilt Beogram, Nak tape deck and a rebuilt NAD preamp. All other gear is used as well except for a Sony CD deck that I got new way back in 1987.
Rarely buy new audio equipment except a DAC or 3, but don't buy really old either, typically 2-5 years old. I have a tendency to open things up and "play" so like to mitigate my cost exposure.
Usd to buy new in 70s and 80s because reliability was poor. Everything in last 20 years has been used given the ~30-60% savings from new and quality of build. I always listen first and try to deal with reputable seller/dealer. It’s was very easy in Chicago but realize this is harder in smaller markets. Some great deals I remember:
Pioneer SA9500 amp for 100 Denon 2910 universal CD player for 100 ( still sounds great) paradigm Studio 20 speakers for 300 audio refinement complete amp and CD for 1000 YBA is integre DT amp for 1500 McIntosh MA5200 for 3100 Sonus Fabre Auditor Ms for 3000 B&W CDM7SE speakers for 1000 REL Strada III sub for 900
just a few I can remember the prices on. Even if I had twice or three times the money I would stick with used. That way I can buy and sell more often which is the whole point of this game. Right?
oh ya, and the great sounds that make life worth living.
1984 Khorns purchased used in 2002 for 3K Volti audio Khorn upgrades new in 2019 2 pairs of Klipsch THX subs/amps used Caver 350 monoblocks used Mytek BB DAC new SBooster DC power supply for DAC new VPI turntable demo (+/- used) New cartridge Cambridge CXC transport new Cables new Room treatment DIY UberBuss line conditioner new 40 amp breaker new 10/2 dedicated line new
I have generally bought new though mostly I try to get the best value for my money which has often been demo gear or last years model heavily discounted. Effectively a full warranty for a few finger prints. Used is something I consider only if I know someone who can fix it!
75 % used, mostly purchased here at Audiogon because i feel that the guy selling gear here is passionate about the hobby and would probably take better care than an EBay seller. IMHO
Just finished piecing together my first 2 channel system and was super aggressive with negotiating prices for used things and getting a good deal. Pair B&W CM9 S2 - $600 (some scratches in cabinets but drivers and are pristine and sound quality is unaffected - was bound to happen anyway with toddlers in the house. Yesterday I came home to paw patrol stickers covering the “booboos” on the cabinets) McIntosh 2205 - $1,500 (in mint condition from original owner, stored in original box for last 20 years, an incredible find!) 2 X 15ft. 12 AWG Sewell cables off Amazon - $58
Currently just using iPad Pro 1/4” headphone jack into phono input on the amp. In all, I cannot believe how powerful and clear this combo is. After finding these deals it’s going to feel like massively diminishing returns if I ever buy high-end new equipment. I’m sure I will someday, but not until I’m settled in a forever house and kids are further along!
I do..as long as the seller provides multiple angles of the products and honest about the defects. I also have to check the feedback left for the seller all this time.
Ninety percent new from 1966 until 2000. Ninety percent used since then. Began with Heathkits, then Luxman in 2-channel systems. Went digital HT for about five years in late 1990s, then back to 2-channel analog systems with used Luxman and McIntosh. Almost all speakers bought used, except for two pairs JBL DD67000 bought in the last four years. Still have tons of stuff that I never bothered to sell when I “moved up”. Currently have nine systems set up inside and outside house (we’re isolated in oak forest in Texas Hill Country with no neighbors to disturb), all linked w/ Bluesound.
hi there, I’m new to audiogon but not new to high-fi. I often buy ‘preowned’ gear. Some of my equipment is no longer manufactured, some is custom made,so I have no choice. Lots of super great deals for high end stuff, mint condition with boxes-like my VTL MB450’s..however after using them for a month they completely stopped working, blew a tube and needed to be biased. I paid $3200 cash local pickup, and another $650 in repairs. My point is if you buy used gear, be prepared to put extra money in it, for replacing tubes, caps, etc.. I still came out saving around 80% , however time is another issue, if you don’t have time to tweeK used gear then buy new. Be careful buying used cables, lots of fakes from China.
Also note that some manufacturers rebrand the same item with different cosmetics, however the schematics are pretty much the same. there are some people that buy vintage gear and love the sound, but it may have worn caps and be a little noisy. They take and get it re-capped and then don’t like the new sound. My theory is if it’s not broken not working, leave it alone. There’s a reason why it sounds that way..
I’ve also had good deals buying floor/demo models. Demos and used gear is also broken in. Try to know who you are buying from and if they give any guarantees. My setup would probably retail for $300k, which I could not afford. But buying preowned, and custom gear I’ve saved a few hundred thousand. Good luck!
"Still have tons of stuff that I never bothered to sell when I “moved up”."
That struck a chord with me. I had to think a bit and recollect some of the gear I've stashed away up in the attic or stuff that I'm not using anymore.
At the very least there's a pair of decent Tannoy floorstanders, a pair of Rega bookshelves, 1 Denon tapedeck, 1 analogue tuner, 1 Panasonic VCR, one Dell PC monitor, tons of cables / interconnects, a couple of midi systems and small speakers. Oh, and a dozen headphones on top of all that.
To be honest if it wasn't for marriage and the kids, I'd have probably have accumulated a lot more. On the plus side, lacking the time or energy to stick them on eBay, I have tried to give stuff away for free to close friends or family.
Surprisingly, I found that people are generally very reluctant to accept audio gear (headphones excepted), even for free. It must just be us audiophiles who care for this stuff.
The last resort for me nowadays is usually the charity shop. It's a nice feeling to get rid of something you definitely don't want to somebody who does want it.
I might try to sell on eBay again, but it's difficult to justify all the time and effort for the money you will get back. My Rega speakers cost £450 new, but if I sold then now, what with a few marks and grille damage I'd be struggling to get £100 back.
Then there's that feeling, familiar to all hoarders, of not knowing when I might want to use them again. Even after years and years..
Thankfully my wife is less emotional and far more practical in these matters than me. I have seen sympathetic cases of people who have ended up almost buried under stuff they will never be able to move.
Just occurred to me that one of the great unsung qualities of digital storage must be the sheer amount of storage space it can save.
I have bought and sold a ton of gear over the years (check my feedback and you will see) as I enjoy trying out many different things and investigating system synergy, and in order to do it in a manner where I don't lose a ton of money, used in 8/10 condition or better is the only way to go. However, interestingly enough, the equipment I have kept the longest are pieces I bought new from a great dealer, Taylor at Goldprint Audio. If you ever want to get off the audio merry-go-round, he's a great place to do it! I can also recommend Bel Canto gear. Great sound and great people! Enjoy the music and be safe, but hopefully, very soon, we'll be able to get back to it!
I bought a Cambridge Audio Azur R650 and Vincent SV237 and my prized used Marantz 2275 all used, in excellent condition. I had the Marantz 2275 restored a couple years ago and recently the Marantz had a stereo channel issue and I took it in to a local Audio Service repair and after the repair was complete; the technician told me he found the issue in a dirty pre-amp switch. He then told me that the Marantz 2275 sounded amazing and how well built amps they are and they tend to run cooler than most brands. He then said he has worked on many Marantz through the years and the 2275 will come in a while and he was really impress with hearing the 2275 once again. The 2275 was not restored by the mentioned Audio Repair shop. The used audio mart allows you to purchase a awesome system at a lower budget and all three of my systems are used audio purchases. Chuck
I usually try to buy used, simply because you can get more for your money. But, if I want a certain color or feature then I buy new at the best price I can obtain it. Right now, I would say my system is about 50-50 new/used.
Mt first used piece was a Crown pre-amp to go with my new Phase Linear 400. After a 1979 Kenwood TT and Tuner, I have bought mostly used. I did buy my first Audire pre-amp new, because the factory sales rep, my neighbor, was out of them. All of these have been upgraded with used equipment, which has allowed me to buy a lot of stuff to resell as I found what I liked. The only amps I tried and sold were a a Sumo Polaris, which has a smallish power supply that lost the bass at high volumes, and an NAD PE100 plus an Adcom, both of which I could have lived with but was I was already spoiled by much better Audire. I did got through some tuners, including a Sansui TU707/717 which was surprisingly good..
As I said in a previous post, I am done buying new gear ~ the audiophile community as a whole takes such fine care of their gear [and does such a great job packing], that I have rarely bought anything that wasn't pretty much like new...I get a big discount, they break it in for me. Win, win. And a few times, I've received gear that was so gently used that it wasn't even broken in yet! Buy from trusted sellers on here or other fori, and save thousands...maybe there will be the occasional time that you will wish that had a dealer warranty [which is sometimes transferable from the seller to you], but so far my experiences have been very positive, and our community as a whole is honest and reliable.
Used to buy everything new, but I soon realized that one can find most anything used and in excellent condition. That being said, I do buy new when necessary. Most recently a Bonn N8 and Denafrips Ares II.
90% used and vintage - AG, AK, eBay, USAM, etc. Only new item was my VPI prime (including speakers and everything) considering that I have 8 systems (yes i am a hoarder) it i really interesting - you guys just made me think and pause...maybe a few cables were bought new
This is a costly hobby. Purchase a new component at list price or close, then determine you don't like it and want to resell ? Good luck as you will lose 25-40% of your purchase price. Find the same component used, and then have to resell, you will likely recoup what you spent or lose just a little bit. This my purchases are used or demo with warranty.
Most recent purchases have been 2prs of used speakers. A demo with warranty preamp. A fully restored vintage integrated amp. Various used vintage pieces for restoration and use, or resale. I am a patient buyer and will wait for a deal at my price. I find something of interest, then submit an offer. If the seller declines, I move on.
I made a deal with my wife a long time ago. She noticed that I was starting to accumulate equipment, and she casually asked if ever sold anything. At the time I didn't. We made a deal, I could buy whatever I wanted, as long as the cost did not come from our budget, meaning that my pursuit of this hobby had to be cost sustaining. At that point, I began to buy and sell used equipment. For a few years in the late 90's, I actually made a market in Dyna ST-70 amps....I had a near constant inventory of about 6-10 amps at any one time !
Most of us like looking and reading about equipment that is more expensive than what we can afford. Buying used allows one to purchase what was once TOTL and Expensive, but at a much more affordable price. My system includes several components that were once very High End, but are now "classic" and were purchased for what most would consider pocket change. If I had to replace everything with new equipment, I would likely have to pay $30k or more. OTOH, I purchased everything used or demo for great prices, and if I had to suddenly liquidate everything, I would likely make a profit. Which is preferable ?
I realize I may strike some as a "price of everything, value of nothing person". But again this is an expensive hobby, and if I can manage the costs associated with enjoyment of this hobby, so much the better.
Purchased my Acoustat 1+1s new in the 80’s. CJ Premier 6, Linn LP12 and CAL Aria were gifted to me by pop. (RIP) All are still in my current system and sound lovely. (I just serviced the turntable.) The only other "new" purchases have been a Denon cartridge, Node2i and Jolida DA. Everything else, RH Labs sub, ARC SP11 MkII, ARC VS110 were purchased from prior owners. I’ve had very good luck with those purchases, I must say. I am replacing my current cables (Monster reference and PowerLineII) with new Marrow Audio. Oh, almost forgot the Beyerdynamic headphones and A20 headphone amp which are new. While the system is mostly vintage, I’m very, very pleased with its performance.
I mostly buy used or demo gear. I could never afford new Audio Research prices, but picked up a used Ref 5 SE and Ref 75 SE last year along with a demo VPI Classic 3 turntable.
Used amps which I then recap and mod myself. Main amp is an old Altec-Lansing which had a NE5532 as the front end. Swapped that out for for one of the newest audio op amps. Total investment - $200 for 200 watts per channel. This thing has a power transformer the size of cantaloupe. (I don't recommend such a project for anyone without considerable tech experience)
Used turntable - Music Hall for $250.
Used speakers - Klipsch Forte for $500. I recapped the crossovers.
Cables - DIY. Kimber Kable copies. (learned how to braid)
My upgrade paths typically led to equipment that was noticeably better with the "I'm there" sound quality I'm trying to get to. It typically meant that the piece I'm interested in is one or two levels up from what I currently owned, but not the "top of the line" currently offered piece from that manufacturer.
This is good for me because in this "hobby" there are many that are in the amp of the month club and they have to have the newest, latest and greatest piece offered and trade in or sell their previous piece when they get the latest and greatest newest piece.
That opens up opportunities for people like me to finally get that piece that I wanted. For example, the latest piece I purchased a few years ago was an Audio Research REF 6 pre-amp. I wanted on because I did an A/B comparison between that and my previous REF 3 (re-tubed) pre-amp. It brought me closer to "I'm there". But, I couldn't afford the REF 6 new. But, many bought the REF 10 and a few years go by and the REF 6 came available used for a decent price. Still more that I was willing to pay, so I waited. One of my favorite dealers informed me of the Audio Research trade in-trade up program a few years ago.
Long story short, I upgraded to a REF 5SE first. Used of course. for a decent used price. Better than my REF 3. Sold my REF 3. Then the trade-in/trade-up program came and I received 75% of MSR for the REF5SE. Do you believe that? I got more for the REF5SE than what I actually paid for it, applied to the REF 6.
I really want a REF 10, I've heard it several times (even in my system) and wow! What a pre-amp. But, even used, it is not at a point where I can "justify" (love that word in this hobby) purchasing it .
But, eventually, when Audio Research comes out with a new pre-amp that is much better than the REF 10, people will sell their REF 10s and go for the newer pre-amp and open up the opportunity for me to get the REF 10.
Used is always good if the price and condition is right. Same for cars. Why buy a brand new car with ridiculous dealer markups and immediate depreciation when you can purchase a used excellent condition low mileage car for much less, with full warranty, etc.
Mostly used for anything that is over $200 msrp. That being said, some items are just too hard to find used so I've broken down and purchased them new. I really like buying used because I don't have to hit on depreciation. So, if I get a piece and live with it for a while and need to move on, I can usually sell it on for little or no loss. For me, half the fun is trying different components which I could never afford to do buying new.
I think it's a win for more boutique brands as well to have a strong secondary market. I like Decware gear for instance and they host a classified section in their forum which shows a lot of confidence in the product and community.
Like a crack head, like a tweaker...how much audio can I buy for my $43 of crumpled bills?
As much as I possibly can.
So, make some aspect of it myself, and just buy the ingredients.
Thus, buy busted ....and fix it.
Importantly, I’m going to mod it out anyway, so buying broken is just one tiny step further down the road that can lower the ’in’ price by +50%, if not 80% or 90%.
Like Sun Tzu, I wait by the river for the body of the given audio gear to float by... and eventually it does...
Id prefer to buy used, preferably off of a place like Audiogon. I ended up buying my integrated amp and speakers new from Audio Affair but bought my OPPO 105 used here.
It's rare for me to purchase used equipment. The predominance of my system was purchased refurbished or close out. Like new at 1/3 less sometimes 1/2 price. 8 speakers, pre/ pro (twice), turntable, and power plant.
It's rare for me to purchase used equipment. The predominance of my system was purchased refurbished or close out. Like new at 1/3 less sometimes 1/2 price. 8 speakers, pre/ pro (twice), turntable, and power plant.
The only brand spankin new piece in my current system, is my Aric Audio Unlimited preamp. Which is now 2 years old. Now,my system isn’t the end all be all of hifi,but without purchasing used,it would be half the system it is. For me,used is the only way I can afford decent equipment. Even my cables are pre enjoyed!
My standard practice for years has been to shop for Class A-rated components (Stereophile) of five to 10 years prior. Can get them for great prices, enjoy what was recently state of the art sound for a whole lot less money.
I've bought Audio Research, Ayre Acoustic and other brands/models this way with GREAT results.
I started doing this in the '70s through the old paper-printed Audiomart classified publication. But now, with the Internet, it's way easier.
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