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Aussie HiFi Market

I'm trying to gain some insight into the Australian HiFi market from a buyer's perspective, namely:

Used Gear: How is used gear traded in AUS? Is there an online platform specific to AUS or are Aussies using the same platforms as the US e.g. Agon, US/Canuck Audio Mart? If latter, how was your experience importing gear from North America including any info on tax, duties, tariffs?

Go To Retailers: Who are the knowledgeable and trusted retailers of high end HiFi gear? Is it typical to ask for a discount on expensive gear or is it culturally not a thing in AUS

Aussie Brands: Any made in Australia brands you would highly recommend?

Cables: Do companies like Nordost or Kubala Sosna make Australian power cables or are people using US/UK cables with adapters or power distributors?

Aussie HiFi Clubs and Associations: Any local HiFi club, association, newsletter, forum you would recommend?

Other: Any other advice or pointers are highly appreciated 

Clearly by now all Aussies reading this will know I'm not from Australia so please excuse my ignorance of your market. Many thanks

 

 

rpmpam
kennyc
3,094 posts
 

+1 @milpai 

Likewise Google Australia audio brands, Australia audio clubs, and tariff ms from US to Australia. Do your own research vs asking us to do it for you or having us explain it to you. 

Cables - look at manufacturers websites to see if they terminate to AUS which is Type 1

Reviews of retailers is a mixed bag- like those who report negative experiences may be much more vocal than those with positive experiences. Dealers have an incentive to make sales to compensate for their time, not to give you global advice. So it’s best to be prepared by researching component reviews ahead of time.

lewm
14,735 posts
 

Tariffs are paid by the importer to his government. So on that issue, the policy of the Australian government is what might affect you.

rpmpam OP
13 posts
 
I’ve been reading the Audiogon discussionForum for decades now but don’t recall a response like "Do your own research vs asking us to do it for you or having us explain it to you". I think of the audiophile community as a group of nice, laidback people with various backgrounds and levels of knowledge who share a passion for audio. I’ve encountered a few exceptions mainly with people who entered the HiFi industry as a business opportunity without the passion for it or who lost it along the way. The audiogon community is a reflection of this nice group of people and is generous in sharing time and knowledge including with people who are new to the hobby and face a steep leaning curve. I am saddened when I hear or read that some people are intimidated to post because of a few bad actors who don’t represent the spirit of the forum. It is meant to be supportive with a "no such thing as a stupid question" attitude.
 
If a post is entitled "Aussie HiFi Market” and you don’t live in Australia and have little timely first hand knowledge on the topic, this post is not intended for you with the expectation that you will research it and report back to the OP. To paraphrase Ricky Gervais, if you come across an ad for guitar lessons, you don’t dial the number and tell the person you don’t want #@%& guitar lessons. 
 
Perhaps Google is not the best means of asking people to share experiences, give advice, recommendations and opinions, perhaps I prefer to have a dialogue with a real human being rather than artificial intelligence, perhaps asking people to share their knowledge and views is research even though it doesn’t involve a search engine and perhaps I prefer to pay for my groceries at the regular check out counter rather than the self check out.
 
When someone asks me what time it is I don’t tell them to google it and if someone from out of town asks me for directions to a place I know, I will give them directions. It’s called kindness and to save the few from having to google it, it is the intentional, voluntary quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate toward others and yourself without expecting anything in return. I try to surround myself with kind people and I’m kind to them in return and try to leave them better than I found them. It works for me.


 

kennyc
3,094 posts
 

@rpmpam Apologies if I sounded rude or hurt your feelings, I was sleep deprived so simply talked directly. Maybe should have said - Perhaps it would serve you better to inquire Google so you can ask specific questions that closer suits your needs. I could have done the research then responded to you, but it’s seems like laziness on your part. 

tobes's avatar
tobes
444 posts
 

I could be wrong but this sounds like trolling for info on how to construct a S/H equipment scam aimed at Aussies (like me).

No thanks.

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