Aside from the equipment conditions, smells and fragrances are a major issue for those suffering from allergies. Fumes from perfume and cologne are virtually impossible to eliminate and, in my case, inflame sinuses and cause extreme headaches.
Should we care if a piece of equipment comes from a pet-free, kid-free, smoke-free home?
I agree that I do not want a preamp or speaker coated with a film of smoke, but I am confused as to what a child or pet could do that would not be otherwise visible. You would see the cat scratches on the speaker grill, the dog chew marks on the rack, the iguana turds in the amplifier cooling vents. And what's a little dog hair among friends? As a 3 year old, I supposedly put my finger through my grandfather's new DIY speaker but I'm pretty sure he replaced the drivers so even that doesn't really matter. Most things will be visible and/or easily remedied. Maybe the price will even be a little lower because of the cosmetics. If it doesn't mess with function, not a big deal to me.
What concerns me more is does it come from a drunk-free, drug-free home. I think befuddled owners are far more worrisome than pets or children.
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@hilde45 + 1 |
@hilde45 +2! |
Here's a song for all those with a clue. |
Kids? Fine. If hifi kit survives kids’ earliest years, it’s solid. If kit survives kids’ teenage music-discovery years, it’ll beat kryptonite.
Dogs? Fine. Dogs might shed, they might drool, but they also guard the home against burglars breaking in to steal a listening session.
Birds? Fine. Bird dust will coat the kit and protect it from ill effects of tar etc. should there have been any smoking on the premises.
Cats? Fine. Better that cats perch upon / sleep atop the kit than had the birds.
Reptiles? Fine. If you contract Salmonella from the kit, you know the previous owner didn’t douse said kit with sanitizer spray, and so perhaps also avoided Febreze.
Fish? Fine. Aquarium-borne humidity simulates a subtropical / coastal environment and certifies the kit’s gold plating is authentic.
Ferrets? NO.
Smoking? Fine. Tar will seal up the bird dust / cat dander coating and thus protect circuits from aquarium-borne humidity shorts, especially kit with cheap / worn plating.
#1 on my No-No’s Top 10 List? “Foam party-free.” Not to be confused with “Foam Party - Free!” |
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