Would you buy a 12-14 year old Integrated?

Does this prove a point. ............apparently there has been no improvements in the sound even after 14 years, of major brands. 

Brands that are constantly creating new models, they market as sounding  "so much better then the previous version".

Are they are lying to us?

Regards
Jim
Dealer of the decade.

Dhpeck, I have no problem purchasing used equipment and do so often. I generally like the components to be less than 10 years old, thinking this provides greatest usage time and thus return on investment. 

Now I must admit that have limited exposure to many of the available amplifiers of the time period under discussion, therefore my opinion is suspect. However, I have a hard time believing that an preamp, amp, or integrated costing 'X" today will out-perform one costing 2-3X made 10-15 years ago? ( Class D amps may be an exception.) I believe the coefficient to X to be valid referring to new vs used pricing on components of that age.  One must also remember that 'X' today is worth less than that of years past. 

Would I buy a 12 to 14 year old integrated,
If it was made by Gryphon you bet I would because it would still trounce most of today's integrateds.

Problem with used Gryphons is that you can almost always find them only in Europe. I saw a few previous generation Diablo for around $5k with phono stage - incredible bargain. I guess, you can run them with high quality step up transformer, or have Gryphon change the voltage. I would first try the transformer. Gryphon uses military grade parts, I wouldn't worry about the age of Gryphon if it is, say, under 25 years, and might take a risk even if over it. With some service, once or twice, Gryphons should last a lifetime.