2. amps-preamps
  3. 177143-150037

Why is used audio equipment so undesirable?

I’ve upgraded many things over the past couple years and quite frankly there is limited interest and not much to be gained by getting rid of unused equipment. My dealer doesn’t want it. And it’s all fairly new stuff within a few years. It’s easier just to box it and store it away and give it to someone if a situation ever arises. Selling it is ridiculous as I’m lucky to get 30 or 40% Plus all the hassle negotiating when selling, so I keep it.

It’s risky buying used audio equipment so there is no interest even for very nice units. So I’ve got nearly half dozen pieces taking up a lot of space all sitting in their original boxes and maybe next time I buy some new speakers I’ll prepare a list and get a few thousand dollars after paying nearly 4 to 5 time more when new.

Would I buy a used preamp or speakers for $15-$20,000? that might be very risky. So I guess I understand why used audio is not that desirable. After buying something used, you may wonder if it would have sounded different if I bought it new? And there in lies the quandry

 

Much easier buying a used car.

 

emergingsoul
mrskeptic
262 posts
 

First of all, new equipment is generally marked up about 90% so if you get 40% of what you paid for it, that's about all you can expect. 

 

Second of all as others have said, used equipment is the best value for your dollar. I have a Kenwood receiver made in the late 70's that is still working fine with only a few bulbs replaced and I expect it to last longer than I will. 

jgueron's avatar
jgueron
20 posts
 

I would be happy to help you reduce your inventory

If by any chance you have a decent CD player

Regards, Joe

 

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
723 posts
 

What have you got to unload. Used gear is my forte. 

1971gto455ho
402 posts
 

I’ll add to the general nothing wrong with the right used product. So it might need repairs given time what doesn’t…don’t be a wuss. I’ve bought serious older high end which back in a day was impossible, now to buy that level of sound new today…a new house is cheaper. Doesn’t help there is a lot of over priced cosmetic, fad, here today gone tomorrow junk out there. So put on the big boy pants spend what ya can new or old and enjoy.

Cheers 

jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

All my gear - except for some phono cartridges - was bought second hand at a  fraction of the new price. Rarely have I had problems with the gear being defective. Same for my collection of CDs, LPs and RTR tapes. An example: I bought a pair of Rogers LS3/5A's from an eBay seller in Lithuania for $900 - they typically sell for $1800. Where else but the used marketplace can bargains be found?

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