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

@rpmpam …,perhaps I prefer to have a dialogue with a real human being 

I had a suspicion this is the case.

Generally speaking, men are wired to be problem solvers then move on to the next problem asap. Women like to build relationships and have conversations often to communicate how they feel.

I’ve been married 35 years and sometimes it’s still hard to have patience to listen to long explanations when I wired to get to the point aka what is the problem so I can solve it. With triplets, my relationship with my wife digressed to task oriented vs making her feel unloved. Since then, I’m making a serious effort to make sure she feels loved. “It’s better to love than to be right” - I trying hard to do this, but I’m wired to defending myself with logic “I’m right, you’re wrong”. It’s a struggle.

Usually Agoners ask questions “after” getting stuck, but it seemed you didn’t even try before asking us to create the whole answer including additional tiresome back and forth.

When we Google, it leads us down to the next Google inquiry then the next and so on and so forth until one reaches the answer, a dead end, or getting stuck. It’s much quicker Googling than going back and forth on a forum.

Whether to purchase components in Australia or to buy NAmerican voltage and get transformers depends on:

  • how long you intend to stay in Australia then return to NAmerican voltage
  • whether desired components are available in Australia

There is no right or wrong answer, the above 2 points only help clarify the decision.

I suggest starting with researching high-end Australia companies, looking at their products, then look at their product reviews - comparisons give an idea of performance and value, marketing fluff or simply saying I like it does not as sonic preferences are highly subjective. There are many great sounding components, but the ones that sonically resonates with you to spend money is highly subjective- demos are highly encouraged although might not be convenient.

While others may have opinions, only you can decide what you want or not.

I’m a bucket list audiophile, starting out late about 10ys ago. My strategy was to research the very best in magazines and reviews, then demo to find the sound that resonated with me. I went to many high-end audio shows and stores and purchased my demo speaker at an AXPONA.

Good luck, have a safe trip, hoping you will enjoy your stay in Australia. Maybe keep us informed of your audio chain adventures. 

@kennyc Of course I accept your apology and thank you for sharing some of your own background and for the additional insight into the Australian market. I can also understand better your perspective on why you felt that accessing human intelligence was laziness but accessing artificial intelligence was not. I suppose we learn in different ways and what is notable is not so much how you and I learn but the fact that we are still learning.

@tobes I wish you would have taken a minute to look at my profile before raising the prospect of criminal intent. I've been a member of this community for over 20 years and have 22 (buy/sell) transactions with 100% positive feedback. I also have an additional 18 transactions on US Audiomart under the same user name all with 100% positive feedback.

I've been married for the last 33 years to a wonderful Australian woman and can see the possibility we might one day retire there thus my interest in the Australian HiFi market. If you are now satisfied that I am not a criminal mastermind with an elaborate plot 20 years in the making to defraud the Australian public, I would welcome your insight into the Australian HiFi market

@laoman Thank you for choosing to see the best in people

Did anybody mention StereoNet? That's an AUS audio board. Jason Parmeter- who is in NZ but no doubt works with AUS market, is a good guy, used to post here, might give you an unjaundiced view of the landscape. Good luck, 

I've imported a used MC Cartridge from Australia to the UK. The price was undeniably good, even with shipping and the long delay caused by Covid. The condition was on the money, and as per the statement in the ad.