Probably 80% of all the gear I have was bought secondhand. |
Speakers is usually worth buying used because you can afford a much higher end model at half price if you are patient.Also speaker tend to last very long so it's a very good investment.I got my Thiel CS 3.7s half price at the time.On the other hand i tend to buy my amps and sources new.When possible i try to buy straight from the distibutor to get the biggest discount, same for cables.
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All of my main gear i purchased new in the mid-80’s. I just recently purchased an Emotiva CD/DAC to replace my Carver CD player. My Bryston 1B preamp i picked up from ebay ($350.00 vs 1800.00 new in the early 90’s). Much of my gear i have 'used' while working in college from a local audio store and i was able to borrow it and take it home. As my finances improved, i was able to look into buying the gear i had used as a poor college student. Now i am a slightly better off near retiree but i have the gear i want. Well except for an SAE amplifier. 🙂 |
I always try to buy used, with the caveat that I either know and trust the seller OR I can visit the seller to audition and check it out myself.My system is a mixture of items purchased both new and used but people need to realise that buying new and re selling in the near future will result in a 40-60% loss on the price paid.
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I always buy used, the stuff I like has been out of production for years.
Mac MC40 monoblocksAudio Research SP8 preampAltec Valencia speakersJVC QL-A7 TTI use a new Denon DL-103 cart on the TTDenon AU-340 SUTEverything has been either rebuilt or checked to see if it's up to spec.System sounds awesome.
BillWojo
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Sometimes used equipment is the only way to fulfill dreams you dreamt years ago. When I was at university I became conditioned by those Mark Levinson ads to be found on the first pages of hifi magazines. But as a student you cannot afford machines for a few thousand bucks. Today I am a part time High End journalist, get a lot of gear for a short while on behalf of testing it. Three years ago I met Mark Levinson (the man). That reminded me of my old dreams and while it was around christmas time I started looking for used ML gear built in those years when I got into hifi - late Eighties, early Nineties. The first bargain I found on EBay was an ML 38s for 1500 €. A few days later I got an ML 27 for a mere 1600 €. In early January I bought a 390s - with some curable defects it cost me 600 € in the end. Around 3700 € for a working Mark Levinson system in good shape, later on completed with some adequate Infinity Kappa loudspeakers - never ever could have afforded this new. And it sounds competitive in comparison with new gear. I am well aware that there are better sounding machines out there but my vintage gear fits my needs - what more can I ask for?
Regarding cables: Some I bought brand new, some I collected over the years and today I have enough to experiment with. Strange enough: My Kimber RCAs that worked flawlessly in almost every other system didn't like the combination of Denon SACD CX-3 and 38s. It had to be Morrow Audio or Silnote.
My second system is a blend of used electronics - Sony SACD, Trigon "Snowwhite" preamp (for 500 € a double bargain), Audiolab power amp - and a new pair of KEF LS50s. The KEFs are on 50 % discount at the moment so you get them for just 666 €. And they still belong to the best compact designs you can buy. The apotheosis of bookshelf speakers... Buying new? If they discount the brand new Mark Levinson 5xxx universal player and streamer for me 😁😎😋
Greetz, Hans
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Buying Demo units is a brilliant way to buy equipment for a better price. These are usually a safe buy. It usually means that a replacement is on the way from the manufacturer if you care about having the most up to date stuff. I have never bought used equipment otherwise but I have spun off numerous items in the past so a healthy used market is important for the audiophile who is continuously upgrading.
I never bought used primarily because in my poor younger days I worked in the industry so I usually got my stuff at salesman's comp ( frequently less than dealer cost.) |
Most of my gear I bought used or demo. My system at retail price would be out of my budget . . . and retail price system within my budget wouldn't put a smile on my face.
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All amps, subs, EXOs, TT, blu-ray player - used
speakers - factory refurbs but looked perfect
TV, pre/pro, CD changer - new
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Nearly always; let the other guy eat the depreciation. Same with vehicles. Only buy new when it’s not an expensive item; or if I just can’t find it used.
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I buy Used, Demos, Blemished, B stock whenever I can. It's like cars. I always buy last years models in December or January when they are desperate to get rid of them. When the Supremo Master Super model comes out, buy last year's Supremo Master at half price. It's just as good as it ever was. |
Just like buying a car, always buy used and let someone else deal with the depreciation off the lot. Finding an amazing deal is a big part of the shopping experience for me and part of the reason I enjoy this hobby so much. As someone who also likes to swap gear around (hold for a few components) every 6-10 months, not taking that huge hit of lost value makes it much more bearable.
I’ve built a BMW M3 cost system on a Toyota Yaris budget, talk about bang for your buck!
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I have bought and sold quite a bit of used gear over the years. It has allowed me to put together what I think, is one hell of a high end system that if I were to walk in to a store I probably wouldn’t be able to afford new. It also allows you to try and rotate gear that you might not have considered and enjoy for a while. Like others, I don’t buy or sell anything beat up.
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My current system is a mix of new and used. My newest piece is a dac, bought 3 months ago. My oldest piece is a 25 year old tube preamp, bought used several years ago. Couldn't have afforded it if new. Bought amp, sub, and turntable used, speakers and CD transport new. My only Chinese built component is the dac.It is excellent,however it will be my last new made in China component for obvious reasons(regime, not the people).The rest is mainly U.S. and U.K.
No hard fast rules on new or used., just what is best at time of purchase.
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I’ll buy both new and used. I try to always to find used first. Amp used only 6 months old when I purchased it. Speakers were open box. Turntable was a demo but I also got a great trade in for an integrated amp. Essentially resulted in a new, free phono cartridge. Phono preamp new on sale. DAC new. CD player new but on sale. Preamp new but I got a good trade in for my old preamp. I have not yet been able to find the preamp I purchased on the used market and it’s been about a year. |
I spent many years buying and selling used gear, figuring out my sonic preferences while living within my means. More recently moved to working directly with small boutique manufacturers to obtain new gear that gets me really close to what sounds best to my ears. At this point only my Ayre power conditioner is used, the rest was purchased new directly from the manufacturer (which, without markup, provides the price-performance ratio of used WITH warranty and post sale support) or from excellent dealers who will work with me on price. |
Classic equipment purchased used including Fisher 400 & 500 receivers, McIntosh MR67 and Kenwood 5700 tuners, a pair of Yamaha CR620s, pair of Yamaha 200 amps, all my speakers-Legacy Focus, Legacy Signature IIIs, ADS L620, Dynaco A-30, A-50, McIntosh mx110, Fisher 400cx I’ve sold half of the electronics already.
All my other equipment was purchased new. |
Both. Used when ever possible. but some times, new technology and outstanding products are not available used (for years).
KNOWLEDGE + PATIENCE+ OPPORTUNITY + FAST ACTION = VALUE. Have bought both new and used with this formula and sold from 1 month to 30 years later and recovered between 55% and 115% of what it cost. IE. bought new speakers for $7500, sold in 5.5 years for $7000;
amp/preamp new at $800 & sold 15 years later at $700; other speakers new at $1,000 sold 30 years later at $800.
All current system components both new and used cost 62% of their retail price. Only the preamp and speakers were bought new... used just do not exist (yet). The pre was significantly discounted because it was a discontinued model, but still, no used to be found.
If you select (target) wisely, sometimes you also just get lucky. I have found some sellers care very little about getting top dollar or “what it is really worth if you have patience in finding a buyer who really wants it”...they just want it gone... fast... no hassles. Getting a great deal on great equipment is like finding a fantastic bottle of wine at an unbelievably low cost. It’s SO enjoyable!
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Most of my equipment is used, but lightly so. My Sonance amp and Rotel preamp are used and both from the early 90s. But both are so clean externally and internally, as well as sound, as to be like new in operation. Together, they cost $200. My Marantz 6500 series Tuner and SACD/CD player are 1994 and are also in appearance and performance as new-both for $110. My Yamaha sub and Cambridge sound works mini monitors are used and together cost me $80 through Craigslist. Both the amp, tuner, Cd player and speakers were bought locally and carefully. The preamp was mail ordered through ebay, again as carefully as one can. My self-moded Audio Technica tt and cartridge (At750) were bought new, and replaced my Philips Electronic (the speed was deteriorating and though these parts can be had on the internet, I really didn’t want to deal with that) and at440 cartridge. The local Wax Records, which sells some new and used equipment, took my turntable in trade towards a new one. It’s obvious that these days the used market is a difficult one because the home-grown audio shops of the past are gone (though the newly burgeoning record shops are carrying some used equipment), thus it takes more time and attention to detail to buy used now. All of it was an evolution as particular items either wore out or seemed wrong. Frankly, I can’t afford to buy what I would like New, but the process of understanding what to buy used, is not only fun but hugely rewarding. |
I kinda fell in love with the Rotel 900 series decades ago. Liked the looks and availability on ebay. Only new piece is the 965 LE cd player because of moving parts for $600. I know this is pretty low rez compared to what you guys have but I couldn't even afford this at msrp. So under $1000 for almost $4000. It took much patience. Also got my "dream speakers"-mint B&W matrix 3, for $400 cash at a local store.
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Back in early days, lots of brick and mortar audio retailers, purchased more new or demo. Now days, nearly all used, buying new without the ability to hear in my system changes the new versus used equation in favor of used.
Also, I tend to modify my equipment over time, I violate warranty buying new. Bypassing break in is nice as well.
I still occasionally purchase new when I have a specific piece of equipment in mind that never comes up for sale used, or when it does has minimal discount over new. Has to be at least 25% discount over new for me to even consider it.
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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. |
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! |
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. |
Used mostly, new if cannot obtain used or if contains newer desirable technological advances like digital components. |
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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.
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Used and broken. Me fix, me fix. Cheap cheap.
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...
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90% used, and loving it. It enables me to have system performance that I could not afford if I bought new. |
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. |
Speakers are new, everything else is used, demo, or refurbished with warranty. Basically paid about 60% of what retail value is.
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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.
anyway, my thoughts.
enjoy |
until my current complete PS Audio gear... _everything_ ive ever bought was used. great values can be had. |
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) |
Almost all used. One new piece, Onkyo CD player, gave me the most grief. Numerous integrateds, speakers, been pleased overall with music and savings. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 |
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.
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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.
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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..
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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.
ozzy
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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 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!
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Except for a REL sub...everything I buy is used. |
doodle6
"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.
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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! |
