Well I'm a frugal Canadian
Note the date and the time when we went international.
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buy the newest technologyAlmost all of my current gear was purchased new (except for 2 subs) but I have had good luck purchasing used gear over the years as I kept learning what gear sounded best to me. Relative to digital - I agree with you because that segment of the industry is still moving fast although it has slowed to the point where there are some good deals on good-sounding first generation used stuff. With regards to other gear, I would be ok buying used and do not perceive big differences in the past 10 years or so, except at upper price points. There are some improved parts and materials that have resulted in some manufacturers upgrading their lines, but someone can still assemble a good-sounding system with used gear and speakers. |
Well I'm a frugal Canadian and just purchased a used Spectron Magical MK ll hybrid class D amp ( weighs 45 lbs) to drive my new Maggie's 0.7 speakers that will arrive this Friday. In the meantime I've been using the Spectron to drive my DT Mythos ST speakers and they have never sounded so excellant!! Every song has so much live sounding energy and dynamics and huge soundstage. I'm godsmacked as every CD that I play and have played for years sounds so different and alive in a very very good way! For the $950 I spent, I'm thrilled!! If it goes up in a puff of smoke, I dont know what I'll replace it without spending thousands?? |
The vast majority of my components were purchased second-hand, most often without hearing them. Rarely have I been disappointed with this type of purchase as I do a lot of research and try to find everything I can from both professional reviewers and actual owners. I try to pick through all the fluff and pay close attention to comments about the character of the piece and comparisons to other components, especially if they are ones I'm familiar with. Some of the few times I have been disappointed were when I auditioned something in person that I hadn't researched. I really liked the audition, but then after listening to it in my system for a while discovered shortcomings that weren't apparent at first. Things I would have avoided had I paid attention to other people's impressions. Buying second hand allows me to flip things if I outgrow them and get close to what I paid for them, so if I do end up getting something that seems like it would be a good fit, but isn't, it's not a big loss. |
I disagree. I buy only used based on reviews and input from Agon members (and a once every three years a visit to AXPONA). My system-- Magico, ARC, Merrill Audio, Feickert, Reed, Ortofon, Esoteric was purchased for 40% or less off of list. Doing your homework works. In 20 years I have only regretted two purchases-- KEF 201/2s and a Modwright amp that could not drive Thiel 3.7s. But there is no doubt I love those people that buy from dealers and absorb the initial depreciation. |
Before developing our own preferences based on experience, we tend to rely on the expressed preferences of others. Even later, after we have your own body of sonic evidence to draw upon (via buying & selling gear), other people's preferences are often the only way to assess some higher-level/more complex audio design with which we have no experience. Early on I learned to read between the lines of reviews & user comments, picking out nuggets that signified something to me, that in some way resonated with my own knowledge. And especially with user comments, one must do some compiling & refining to detect trends (potential truths) across a range of comments. |
Life is too short to base your audio buying on someone else’s audio preferences. If that’s what you mean I couldn’t agree more. But it also raises the question of the value of expert reviews when one doesn’t know the audio preferences of the reviewer. Professional reviewers always list the associated equipment used in the review but when was the last time you saw a side bar describing the audio preferences of the reviewer or it even explained? And while "let your ears be the judge" is ideal it is not ALWAYS practical in the real world. Hence we are dependent on honest professional reviewers for guidance. |
It's spelt "favourite". You're welcome.It most definitely is .... If you are in England of course.🤔🤔 |
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There’s no real practical way to listen to everything you might want to for many people. If you go by one persons opinion, then you’re just buying into their likes. I look for as much info and reviews as I can on a product, and a picture will usually emerge to give you a decent idea of what to expect. |
Thx Erik I do believe I get your intent despite the "tough crowds" worst intentions at deflection. I am probably as guilty as any at reading others views and thoughts and sometimes being swayed by that vein of wisdom rather than sticking to my own thoughts. Probably why I have ended up with two new to me streaming units and let the best one win! Doh! |
I thought it was because he had a friend who died and he would not buy his favourite system ...I realize I make my post out of ignorance of the context of the situation lived by erik-squires... It was not an audio discussion like usual... I offer my sympathies to him and to the family of his friend, and I apologize for my bad venue comments and displaced dark humour... I am truly sorry... |
:) It is called many names...I like koan...But it is called" dark humour", "spirit" " bad joke" or "good joke" ... But perhaps you dont know Groucho Marx ? Young people dont know him anymore... Also it is fun to use common places in different context... My best... "Smiling is like luck, we need it the most when we have no reason to give it " Groucho Marx |
Listening before buying is not always possible indeed.... And anyway no electronic components can be evaluated in the same manner in the different mechanical embeddings, in different acoustical fields, and in different electrical grids...And no audio system can sound the same in a showroom and in your house...If I can say that without offending him, erik_squires is right on that, but like I just said not just because our taste are different.... " The opinion of others help others first " Groucho Marx |
I think @erik_squires is asking why someone would buy a system recommended by another in the absence of any other supporting information to make a decision? I suppose you could do that assuming a good return policy but honestly, who does that? There are so many ways to hear what you like before buying. |
I really have no idea what it is you are trying to say here Erik. @uberwaltz Haha, funny how we post things that seem very clear to us, and not to others. I thought I was immune from this effect, but now I am humbled. :-) What I mean is that knowing what others like is fun, but in the end, you need to buy what you like the most, regardless of prevailing wisdom, reviewers or other taste makers may think. Best, E |
It seems that I am not the only cryptic one and with incomprehensible post...You beat me... :) Maybe this is tied to the " donate a dollar to have these Members Review a Product" post and he is saying that folks should figure out their own purchases for themselves rather than purchase stuff based on vehemently impassioned opinions posted on audio forums. Yes and he said that because each one had different "tastes" habits... when I said that this explain nothing in audio experiences and explain why, he said that he does not understand what in the world I speak about...:) Without rancor I wish you the best....I apologize for being here but it was irresistible attraction...I will vanish now... " The dog said he bite me because he was bitten, it is only the great chain of beings " -Groucho Marx |
