Do you buy gear new, used, both?

Over 60 years, I’ve bought used, bought kits, traded, bought store and show demos and I’ve bartered. I’ve built from scratch some speakers and sub woofers and I have recently bought some new equipment.

I  like bargains and the fun of what I call treasure hunting. So after I have done extensive reviews and/or listenings I hunt in this order 1) used, 2) demo, and 3) then new. If it's vintage gear I look for mods by certain individuals like Bill Thalmann.

Most everything I have is used. With depreciation of audio gear the way it is, I just couldn't mentally take the financial beating if I wanted to to sell something.

Iʻve always tended to go with value.  I want the most sound for my limited audio buck.  I bought my tube preamp and DAC new.  I play all of my digital stuff off of a Linux based miniPC I recently built from new hardware.  My loudspeakers came with a new active crossover when I got them.  But my 12 channel power amp (I use 8 channels) is one I picked up used for all of $500.

The last time I bought a new turntable, Jimmy Carter was president.  I ran a Linn LP12 I picked up used in 1987 and ran that for 30 years.  My tables since have always been used.  

I ran a Revox A77 deck for 40  years that I originally bought used.  But the Nak cassette deck I had was one I bought new.

I recently bought a well-made DIY set of the SEAS Thor loudspeakers.  Got one HELL of a deal on that!  The kit, new from Madisound, is something like $2700, and thatʻs before you spend the money and effort to make the enclosures.  The seller was a cabinet maker who did a great job on them.  My cost was $1200 shipped to me.  Not bad.

Mostly new here, but I have  bought used occasionally.