Do you buy new, used or new or used gear?


I know some folks that will only buy new gear, and others that will only buy used gear, and of course, those that will sometimes buy new and sometimes buy used gear. Where are you on this spectrum? 

Personally, about 1/2 my main system consists of gear that was bought used (or store demo), and none was the worse for it. 

zavato

I own 8 amps and all were bought new except my Krell k 300, which I purchased from someone on Audiogon. Negotiated great deals on most. The only thing I’ve bought off an individual was a pair of BUCHARDT limited anniversary speakers and a Hi Rose 150 transport. All cables new and Negotiated. I have purchased a few items from the music room. 

Mostly used 75%?   Other than a CDP (the used ones i bought came broken) and a Wiim streamer its all used including the Salamander Archetype stand, amp, TT, speakers, tuners, phono preamp.

A mix of used, open box, demo and heavily discounted new.  All my sources were purchased used, mostly on Audiogon and US Audiomart.  I did get an amazing deal on my Lumin streamer on head-fi.org, of all places.  The only things I have purchased new, at retail, are interconnects, most of my power cords and speaker cables.  On the heavily discounted new purchases, there a plenty of dealers out there that want/need to move inventory and are more than willing to work with you.  One of the things that I will offer up to a dealer, especially on an expensive piece of equipment, is to send a check versus using a credit card.  A lot of these folks are giving up 3%-4% when a card is used.  Only once, did I have a dealer say to me that it made no difference and I was more than welcome to use a card.

Purchased my latest pre-amp and amplifier from TMR open box got gear 1/2 off with full warrenty received it in new condition

Bought my Speakers new as they had just came out and there was no Demo or used ones available

Purchased my cables for my new system all new

so a mix of used (open box) from tmr and other pieces new

For me depends on the condition of gear and will purchease used or new