Back in early days, lots of brick and mortar audio retailers, purchased more new or demo. Now days, nearly all used, buying new without the ability to hear in my system changes the new versus used equation in favor of used.
Also, I tend to modify my equipment over time, I violate warranty buying new. Bypassing break in is nice as well.
I still occasionally purchase new when I have a specific piece of equipment in mind that never comes up for sale used, or when it does has minimal discount over new. Has to be at least 25% discount over new for me to even consider it.
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I kinda fell in love with the Rotel 900 series decades ago. Liked the looks and availability on ebay. Only new piece is the 965 LE cd player because of moving parts for $600. I know this is pretty low rez compared to what you guys have but I couldn't even afford this at msrp. So under $1000 for almost $4000. It took much patience. Also got my "dream speakers"-mint B&W matrix 3, for $400 cash at a local store.
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Most of my equipment is used, but lightly so. My Sonance amp and Rotel preamp are used and both from the early 90s. But both are so clean externally and internally, as well as sound, as to be like new in operation. Together, they cost $200. My Marantz 6500 series Tuner and SACD/CD player are 1994 and are also in appearance and performance as new-both for $110. My Yamaha sub and Cambridge sound works mini monitors are used and together cost me $80 through Craigslist. Both the amp, tuner, Cd player and speakers were bought locally and carefully. The preamp was mail ordered through ebay, again as carefully as one can. My self-moded Audio Technica tt and cartridge (At750) were bought new, and replaced my Philips Electronic (the speed was deteriorating and though these parts can be had on the internet, I really didn’t want to deal with that) and at440 cartridge. The local Wax Records, which sells some new and used equipment, took my turntable in trade towards a new one. It’s obvious that these days the used market is a difficult one because the home-grown audio shops of the past are gone (though the newly burgeoning record shops are carrying some used equipment), thus it takes more time and attention to detail to buy used now. All of it was an evolution as particular items either wore out or seemed wrong. Frankly, I can’t afford to buy what I would like New, but the process of understanding what to buy used, is not only fun but hugely rewarding. |
Both. Used when ever possible. but some times, new technology and outstanding products are not available used (for years).
KNOWLEDGE + PATIENCE+ OPPORTUNITY + FAST ACTION = VALUE. Have bought both new and used with this formula and sold from 1 month to 30 years later and recovered between 55% and 115% of what it cost. IE. bought new speakers for $7500, sold in 5.5 years for $7000;
amp/preamp new at $800 & sold 15 years later at $700; other speakers new at $1,000 sold 30 years later at $800.
All current system components both new and used cost 62% of their retail price. Only the preamp and speakers were bought new... used just do not exist (yet). The pre was significantly discounted because it was a discontinued model, but still, no used to be found.
If you select (target) wisely, sometimes you also just get lucky. I have found some sellers care very little about getting top dollar or “what it is really worth if you have patience in finding a buyer who really wants it”...they just want it gone... fast... no hassles. Getting a great deal on great equipment is like finding a fantastic bottle of wine at an unbelievably low cost. It’s SO enjoyable!
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Classic equipment purchased used including Fisher 400 & 500 receivers, McIntosh MR67 and Kenwood 5700 tuners, a pair of Yamaha CR620s, pair of Yamaha 200 amps, all my speakers-Legacy Focus, Legacy Signature IIIs, ADS L620, Dynaco A-30, A-50, McIntosh mx110, Fisher 400cx I’ve sold half of the electronics already.
All my other equipment was purchased new. |
I spent many years buying and selling used gear, figuring out my sonic preferences while living within my means. More recently moved to working directly with small boutique manufacturers to obtain new gear that gets me really close to what sounds best to my ears. At this point only my Ayre power conditioner is used, the rest was purchased new directly from the manufacturer (which, without markup, provides the price-performance ratio of used WITH warranty and post sale support) or from excellent dealers who will work with me on price. |
I’ll buy both new and used. I try to always to find used first. Amp used only 6 months old when I purchased it. Speakers were open box. Turntable was a demo but I also got a great trade in for an integrated amp. Essentially resulted in a new, free phono cartridge. Phono preamp new on sale. DAC new. CD player new but on sale. Preamp new but I got a good trade in for my old preamp. I have not yet been able to find the preamp I purchased on the used market and it’s been about a year. |
My current system is a mix of new and used. My newest piece is a dac, bought 3 months ago. My oldest piece is a 25 year old tube preamp, bought used several years ago. Couldn't have afforded it if new. Bought amp, sub, and turntable used, speakers and CD transport new. My only Chinese built component is the dac.It is excellent,however it will be my last new made in China component for obvious reasons(regime, not the people).The rest is mainly U.S. and U.K.
No hard fast rules on new or used., just what is best at time of purchase.
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I have bought and sold quite a bit of used gear over the years. It has allowed me to put together what I think, is one hell of a high end system that if I were to walk in to a store I probably wouldn’t be able to afford new. It also allows you to try and rotate gear that you might not have considered and enjoy for a while. Like others, I don’t buy or sell anything beat up.
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Just like buying a car, always buy used and let someone else deal with the depreciation off the lot. Finding an amazing deal is a big part of the shopping experience for me and part of the reason I enjoy this hobby so much. As someone who also likes to swap gear around (hold for a few components) every 6-10 months, not taking that huge hit of lost value makes it much more bearable.
I’ve built a BMW M3 cost system on a Toyota Yaris budget, talk about bang for your buck!
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I buy Used, Demos, Blemished, B stock whenever I can. It's like cars. I always buy last years models in December or January when they are desperate to get rid of them. When the Supremo Master Super model comes out, buy last year's Supremo Master at half price. It's just as good as it ever was. |
Nearly always; let the other guy eat the depreciation. Same with vehicles. Only buy new when it’s not an expensive item; or if I just can’t find it used.
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All amps, subs, EXOs, TT, blu-ray player - used
speakers - factory refurbs but looked perfect
TV, pre/pro, CD changer - new
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Most of my gear I bought used or demo. My system at retail price would be out of my budget . . . and retail price system within my budget wouldn't put a smile on my face.
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Buying Demo units is a brilliant way to buy equipment for a better price. These are usually a safe buy. It usually means that a replacement is on the way from the manufacturer if you care about having the most up to date stuff. I have never bought used equipment otherwise but I have spun off numerous items in the past so a healthy used market is important for the audiophile who is continuously upgrading.
I never bought used primarily because in my poor younger days I worked in the industry so I usually got my stuff at salesman's comp ( frequently less than dealer cost.) |
Sometimes used equipment is the only way to fulfill dreams you dreamt years ago. When I was at university I became conditioned by those Mark Levinson ads to be found on the first pages of hifi magazines. But as a student you cannot afford machines for a few thousand bucks. Today I am a part time High End journalist, get a lot of gear for a short while on behalf of testing it. Three years ago I met Mark Levinson (the man). That reminded me of my old dreams and while it was around christmas time I started looking for used ML gear built in those years when I got into hifi - late Eighties, early Nineties. The first bargain I found on EBay was an ML 38s for 1500 €. A few days later I got an ML 27 for a mere 1600 €. In early January I bought a 390s - with some curable defects it cost me 600 € in the end. Around 3700 € for a working Mark Levinson system in good shape, later on completed with some adequate Infinity Kappa loudspeakers - never ever could have afforded this new. And it sounds competitive in comparison with new gear. I am well aware that there are better sounding machines out there but my vintage gear fits my needs - what more can I ask for?
Regarding cables: Some I bought brand new, some I collected over the years and today I have enough to experiment with. Strange enough: My Kimber RCAs that worked flawlessly in almost every other system didn't like the combination of Denon SACD CX-3 and 38s. It had to be Morrow Audio or Silnote.
My second system is a blend of used electronics - Sony SACD, Trigon "Snowwhite" preamp (for 500 € a double bargain), Audiolab power amp - and a new pair of KEF LS50s. The KEFs are on 50 % discount at the moment so you get them for just 666 €. And they still belong to the best compact designs you can buy. The apotheosis of bookshelf speakers... Buying new? If they discount the brand new Mark Levinson 5xxx universal player and streamer for me 😁😎😋
Greetz, Hans
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I always buy used, the stuff I like has been out of production for years.
Mac MC40 monoblocksAudio Research SP8 preampAltec Valencia speakersJVC QL-A7 TTI use a new Denon DL-103 cart on the TTDenon AU-340 SUTEverything has been either rebuilt or checked to see if it's up to spec.System sounds awesome.
BillWojo
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I always try to buy used, with the caveat that I either know and trust the seller OR I can visit the seller to audition and check it out myself.My system is a mixture of items purchased both new and used but people need to realise that buying new and re selling in the near future will result in a 40-60% loss on the price paid.
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All of my main gear i purchased new in the mid-80’s. I just recently purchased an Emotiva CD/DAC to replace my Carver CD player. My Bryston 1B preamp i picked up from ebay ($350.00 vs 1800.00 new in the early 90’s). Much of my gear i have 'used' while working in college from a local audio store and i was able to borrow it and take it home. As my finances improved, i was able to look into buying the gear i had used as a poor college student. Now i am a slightly better off near retiree but i have the gear i want. Well except for an SAE amplifier. 🙂 |
Speakers is usually worth buying used because you can afford a much higher end model at half price if you are patient.Also speaker tend to last very long so it's a very good investment.I got my Thiel CS 3.7s half price at the time.On the other hand i tend to buy my amps and sources new.When possible i try to buy straight from the distibutor to get the biggest discount, same for cables.
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Probably 80% of all the gear I have was bought secondhand. |
