Would never buy used cd player,used turntable or cartridge as you could get a turkey very easy.
Transaction
I just need to vent on a situation that I have encountered due to a purchase through Audiogon. About 8 months ago, I purchased a Krell cd player from a very reputable dealer. About three weeks after receiving it, it stopped functioning. Despite being told that the unit($1000) was sold "as is", it was eventually fixed. Since then I have encountered new problems so frustrating, I have essentially stopped using it. This was a fairly expensive transaction, that has become almost a total waste. I am now forced to go to Krell to see if they can remedy the situation, which will undoubtedly cost me more money. The point of all this is, despite the fact that Audiogon is only the middle man and totally reputable, and that the dealer in question has a long, and I assume good, reputation, BUYER BEWARE. Do your homework. You never know.
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When you buy used and "as is", you're taking on the risk of it breaking on day 2, and setting off that risk against the significant reduction of cost vs. a new unit with a long warranty (e.g. Bryston). At that point, it's the luck of the draw. Some older things break, others don't. CD players are probably the highest risk used purchase, for reasons others have already stated. 5-year old speakers are probably the lowest risk, but you never know. |
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Well of course I think we are all sorry for your experience but this is inherent in buying used merchandise of any type, category, or price and it is possible if not even most likely that the dealer and the manufacturer are not at all directly responsible for what happened they may not know it's history themselves and it may have even been subject to abuse or extreme wear but not visually apparent or detectable. Repairs
such as may be necessary, required, or desirable
and their associated costs, shipping, and inconvenience are a risk you take when you buy used and you actually should be happy if any and all required replacement parts are available. |
CD players have lasers that wear and moving parts... so motors, sleds, lasers, all age. Each time I look at a CD player, I Find out what laser and sled assembly it has in it first ("the DAC list"), and then figure out what it might cost to get it running again, when it fails. As it will fail. It is just a matter of time, like car tires wearing down and requiring replacement. Sometimes the sled ('CD mechanism') is simply not available, and cannot be found via any search. all gone. Or, the replacement costs $200-300-400, as few exist. Sometimes it's just $40-50 for the mechanism. |
$1k for a Krell cd player - How old is the player? You didn’t say what exactly what has gone wrong with the player. I realize you’re venting, If dealer sold the item ‘as is’, don’t think it’s fare to blame the dealer or manufacturer. Sorry that it didn’t worked out as you thought it would. I would reach out to Krell service department, they are super helpful. It may cost you some money but they stand behind their products and warranty repairs upto a year. |