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Are you a keeper or a flipper?

Do you keep you audio gear for a long time or do you tend to change gear frequently? 
I would say I’m a keeper. I’ve owned my Linn turntable 28 years; I’ve owned my Revel speakers and Pass amp/preamp/phono 11 years. I’ve also had my cd player and tuner over 10 years. 
Ironically, my newest piece, bought in 2025, is the oldest hifi gear I own- a Thorens TD124; I bought that from the daughter of a friend who passed away. My friend was the original owner. I view my purchase of the Thorens as a special circumstance. The friend that passed had a lot of hifi gear - all of it interesting, but the only piece that drew me in was the Thorens. I knew he used to have a Marantz pre and power amp- tubed- but those were sold years back. 

zavato
allenf1963
497 posts
 

 I've never sold any of my audio equipment, and still have every piece of gear I've bought since 1977.  I use most of it in the multiple systems I utilize.  I enjoy listening to different sonics: all vintage systems, newer systems, tube setups, solid state, a mix, Chi-Fi, horn speaker setups, etc.

 

I'm lucky to have a wife that tolerates a system in almost every room of the house, although I'm certain the day I kick the bucket she will be utilizing the spreadsheet I've put together showing current resale values smiley.

patrickalston
177 posts
 

I try to buy it right the first time. By once, cry once. I'll keep what I have until I can find something that I enjoy better and that I can afford.  I'm a keeper.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,794 posts
 

I want to be a keeper... but there is always something new that brings me in.

I am also a tweaker...

ozzy

parkergetdean
1,099 posts
 

I thought everyone here was a flipper

cleeds
6,601 posts
 

For the most part, I’m a keeper. VPI turntable and SME arm date to ’94. Infinity IRS Beta, Bryston and CJ amplifiers, McIntosh tuner are all older than that. Enjoyed my ARC Ref 5SE for 11 years after literally decades with an ARC SP-11 - recently upgraded to my dealer’s Ref6SE demo.

But, there are exceptions. I upgraded my first real streamer (a nice Raspberry Pi effort with a Digiplus HAT for digital out) to an Aurender in ’19. That was a h-u-g-e disappointment and I dumped the Aurender within months. I’ve been happy with a Bryston BDP-3 ever since.

In short: I tend not to replace or repair what isn’t broken.

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