I buy a mix of new/used/demo, based on the relationship I have with the dealer and the price of the gear.
Goodwin's High End treated me very well on my pair of monoblocks.
Spearit took great care of me for my previous set of speakers and my current preamp. It is really too bad they are gone now.
Mark at Reno HiFi is a true gentleman and a terrific business person. I got my Pass Labs XP-15 from him. He offered to send me the phono-stage and if I didn't like it, I could return it, paying only for shipping to and fro. That's good business-- really good business, and it doesn't cost a lot to ship a phono stage.
I wouldn't hesitate to call a nearby dealer and ask what they have for demo, used or consignment gear, and would pay a reasonable premium for that gear over something on line, or straight-used. Really good dealers allow you a week to 10 days to try the gear and you can return it if you don't like it-- like Goodwin's did for me.
I have purchased some really nice used gear, right here on Audiogon. I have been very fortunate to get good deals on great products from really nice people. When I strike up a conversation with somebody about their gear, I can usually tell if they are good people or somebody I should run away from in a pretty short period of time. I ask straight forward questions; "Are you the original owner? How old is the product? Has it ever been serviced? Is the warranty transferrable?" I always trust my instincts and have actually developed some friendships with sellers on Audiogon.
Bottom line-- unless something is priced really inexpensively, like 30-40% off, make sure you can return it if it doesn't work in your room.
Hope this is helpful.
Goodwin's High End treated me very well on my pair of monoblocks.
Spearit took great care of me for my previous set of speakers and my current preamp. It is really too bad they are gone now.
Mark at Reno HiFi is a true gentleman and a terrific business person. I got my Pass Labs XP-15 from him. He offered to send me the phono-stage and if I didn't like it, I could return it, paying only for shipping to and fro. That's good business-- really good business, and it doesn't cost a lot to ship a phono stage.
I wouldn't hesitate to call a nearby dealer and ask what they have for demo, used or consignment gear, and would pay a reasonable premium for that gear over something on line, or straight-used. Really good dealers allow you a week to 10 days to try the gear and you can return it if you don't like it-- like Goodwin's did for me.
I have purchased some really nice used gear, right here on Audiogon. I have been very fortunate to get good deals on great products from really nice people. When I strike up a conversation with somebody about their gear, I can usually tell if they are good people or somebody I should run away from in a pretty short period of time. I ask straight forward questions; "Are you the original owner? How old is the product? Has it ever been serviced? Is the warranty transferrable?" I always trust my instincts and have actually developed some friendships with sellers on Audiogon.
Bottom line-- unless something is priced really inexpensively, like 30-40% off, make sure you can return it if it doesn't work in your room.
Hope this is helpful.