2. misc-audio
  3. 189030-149900

At what point do you...

buy new vs used/open box/refurbished/demo, etc? I know this is all cost based relative but just curious where you draw the line and go brand new. For example, online retailer x has a brand new power cable for $499. They also have the exact same power cable (same length) on an open box for $449. Worth it to save the $50 or do you just go brand new? Or would you just always go for the less costly alternative because saving $ is saving $?

 

I have been wanting to get some consistency with my subs, currently I have a LaSpada 10AWG power cable on sub 1 and a Signal Cable Magic Power cable on sub 2. I also see there is a couple of open box Audioquest NRG4 power cables available for $30ea off already discounted brand new ones. I’m thinking of pulling the trigger on the NRG4’s and saving an additional $60 on the pair and using these on my SVS SB4000’s...

 

In some cases you can save significantly by going other than new but then not so much in other cases. I know this is extremely subjective and relative but just wondering how all of you decide when to just go brand new...again just curious how you all decide which direction to go...

kingbr
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,447 posts
 

I almost always buy used. By purchasing used let’s me look at higher end gear. More bang for the buck. Yes,there is usually no warranty,which is the downside. Everyone has a different perspective.  

coralkong's avatar
coralkong
591 posts
 

I buy used/open box/refurbished when it's about 50% or more off retail. Case in point: I bought a Yamaha CDS2100 for $1499 refurbished with a 3 year warranty from a reputable online shop.

llg98ljk's avatar
llg98ljk
137 posts
 

Depends. I have no issue buying open box or refurbished as long as it is from a reputable dealer or direct from manufacturer/outlet. Also look for an "as new" warranty.

Post removed 
immatthewj
1,124 posts
 

Back when I had more money than brains (and that's going back a while . . . now I don't have an excess of either) I always (except for once) bought new. The exception was a pair of ARC VTM120s that I bought from the classified section in Stereophile (this was before the internet days).  Those ARCs sounded fantastic, but man oh man they were unreliable!

Anyway, most recently I bought a factory refurb Maranzt SA10 from Music Direct and a preowned Cary SLP-05 from Cary Direct, and so far I am extremely pleased with both.  The savings on each of those units was way significant.  So significant that I would not have bought either for MSRP.  I did have reservations, but as I typed, I am so far happy with both.  The fact that they both came from dealers who should be reliable played a part in my decision making. 

As far as the power cable example you mentioned--I'd jump all over the open box for $49 savings if it was from a reliable dealer (so there wouldn't be counterfeit risk involved) like Music Direct.  $49 is $49, and that would be $49 I could then justify applying to something else.

 

More to discover