New vs uses in your current setup
Curious the ratio new to used/demo in your current system comprised of.
I’m equally split on a “per box” basis although I tend to look for used cables almost exclusively.
New purchases: tube monoblock amps, speaker cables, phono cartridge, output tubes, LiFePO4 batteries, LiFePO4 battery charger, speaker stands, preamp stand, speaker crossovers, 1 pair of rca cables Used purchases: 2 pairs rca cables, 4 power cables, signal tubes, preamp, phono preamp, balanced power supply, amp stands, turntable stand, turntable Future new purchases: phono cartridges, output tubes Future used purchases: none |
To my own amazement, 95% new. Including some dealer demos sent back to MFG for refurb and came back basically new with packaging. All purchased at significant discounts and with substantial trade in discounts. I've built up a low six figure system over sixty years buying and then upgrading products from companies like Wilson, Conrad-Johnson, Wireworld, Shunyata, Audioquest and dCS. My dealer relationships are extremely valuable to me and have allowed this equipment accumulation over time. Dealer advise has been excellent, with the exception of one speaker purchase. But the trade in terms were excellent when I swapped them out. Good advise sure beats disappointing purchases later sold and bought again. Thanks to my four or so strong dealer relationships for your help with advise I sometimes didn't want to hear. |
This thread made me realize that I currently don’t have any used equipment in any of my systems. I had a 5 channel Parasound power amp in one of my HT systems, approximately 30 years old and in my possession for the last decade or so, give up the ghost 2 months ago. I have had many previously owned through the years but I haven’t been buying or selling components for a few years, finding it was a lot more hassle than it was worth, with scammers,etc. |
63.2% used @zlone plus one ... My most expensive items were carefully acquired from secondary markets! |
...nearly every thing I have, with a few exceptions.... At this juncture, I've a pair of new, in box, ESS large Heils' that I was gifted by a online friend (since deceased) who shared the passion for them. They need to be mated with the pair I got used and had the elements replaced in. The only things I purchase new has been a pair of mics with a pair of mixers for same, a matching measuring mic for an existing, and 100' of 12 g. ofc speaker cables at a time...when the need exists.... The other new needs are for the 4 drivers I purport to apply into my Walsh mods... My SOTA is not the typical, nor do I strive for such. It comes down to what I consider My version of it....Here, Now, and for my shortening future. We chase the same rabbit in our own course, in our own speed.... ..and that's Fine. 👍😎 J |
I do both. I replaced a new amp with a pair of used ARC monoblocks, and I replaced those with a new Cary that I am still running. I replaced a new pre with a used Cary, and I replaced that with another used Cary. I replaced a three piece digital front end that I put together with new pieces with a Marantz that was a "factory refurb" (so I guess that counts as used). So far my speakers have all been new, but I would consider used on those as well. |
I'll Chip In again with the owned Quad ESL 57's bought in the Late 90's as a 1 Year Old Quad Full Serviced Speaker. These and another pair are a refurbished Stacked Quad Array. These are easy to surpass and difficult to surpass. I really have a good gauge on the Stacked and Single Tier Strengths and Weaknesses. I use other Speakers for Periods of time and can forget about the Quads, and as a result certainly have the Quads Shortcomings laid out bare to witness. Plug the Quads in to the Mains and connect to the System, and immediately the beating oneself up begins for not having them in use. I would suggest in the UK at the prices these Speakers can command, they are the HiFi Bargain of all Bargains. As an influencer in the modern world, this Speaker has much to reveal that will win many admirers. |
Interesting discussion. 90% used, 10% new. My setup is almost all vintage, only things new are my streamer, some cables (others are hand me downs from a audiophile friend), power cords. I did do a full referb on my pre & power amp, put in well over 100 new parts that were old or out of spec. Plus new crossovers in my speakers. |
Latest reference system New: Used: |
My system canton 9k speakers Technics SGU700 integrated,maker interconnects, monster m2 speaker cables, martantz cd 6006 player all used all trouble free (hope I did not jinx myself) for years. Before that bought all adcom gear pre &power amps, snell c2 speakers,same interconnects.quick story within hours of my installing the adcom system one strand of speaker wire touched the oppisite speaker wires from it resulting in immediate amp dying. I called adcom which was 30 mins. from my home in new Brunswick NJ at the time and for a dozen donuts they went through the amp and fixed it like new! I sold it after years of flawless service just to try something different.In hindsite I should have kept it for another room. Adcom Good stuff, good people. |
Interesting topic. Stirred up some cobwebs in the way-back machine. As a retired dealer/speaker nerd, all of the source components, cables, and amplification in my system are discarded demo gear, and rep samples. "Hey, Mr. EAT rep: That's a nice turntable. When it's done making the rounds in the territory, send it my way." So, technically, ALL used. With a full factory warranty. On the other hand, I designed and built my own speakers from 100% new parts -- raw drivers, caps, coils, etc.. After 35 years they are well past the "gently used" classification, and solidly "used/vintage." Thanks for the topic.
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pre-fire I had a lot of used, inherited, or refurbished gear. Mostly those pieces are being replaced very slowly with new, and not all of them are being replaced. Going forward, I will look for bargains, discounts, close-outs, and take advantage of whatever incentives I can to control my out of pocket cost. Given the realities in today's insurance landscape, the odds of actually being made whole by my insurance are zero. Funding everything out of pocket requires a different strategy than it would if Insurance was paying for it. |
I guess if you’re the kind of audiophile who’s constantly changing combinations of gear in search of the perfect system, it’s going to be prohibitively expensive to repeatedly buy new. If like me, you’ve kept items for 25 years and in one case 40 years, the high depreciation cost of buying new is spread over a much longer time period. Also, I’ve stuck with one manufacturer, Linn that tends to facilitate upgrades of existing products, sometimes at heavily discounted prices. For example the latest model of their top streamer cost me about 50% of the full retail price to upgrade to. Only once, did this backfire on me when a new much better DAC upgrade came along only a couple of years after I belatedly did the previous upgrade. Fortunately, that was an outlier. The upgrade was so significant that I bit the bullet on that one. Basically, I’ve been happy with my system for the past 25 years and have just been refining things as new developments came along. Now I am old, I am less inclined to pay huge sums to keep up. |
Power conditioner - used Innuos Zen - new PSAudio/APS Audio Transformers Direct Stream Signature Seties Limited Edition Plus -new Aric Audio Motherload XL -new Atmasphere Class D - new Radu Tarta SET 45 being built currently Charney Audio Companion Excalibur AER BD3 -used all cables new Funny, before I spelled it all out, I would have guessed 1/2 of my equipment was used Most of the new equipment did replace used/demo units I had. The money from the sale of the used equipment made purchasing new a lot easier |
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