One's trash is someone else's treasure


I would be interested to find out what “treasures” you people have come across in your journey to audio nirvana on the used market. For me, it was in 1993 (I don’t remember if the internet was already at its early stages of development – I don’t think so), and I came across an ad in our local newspaper for a Linn LP-12. The second I read the ad, I immediately called the seller who happens to be this older fellow who obviously didn’t have the slightest clue what he’s about to relinquish. I drove to his apartment and there it was, a Linn LP-12 complete with an LVX tone arm, a K9 cartridge and the smoke dustcover – all in excellent condition. The asking price? $100!!!! While I was in his apartment checking the table out, the seller received about three phone calls regarding the LP-12 too bad for those prospective buyers but first come, first serve. Talk about someone’s trash being someone else’s treasure!!!! About three years later, I sold the table for $900! It was about this time when the digital front end was really taking off with the transport and outboard DAC options. Now, I’m back into vinyl (just recently got back actually) and have a VPI Scout Aries with JMW 9 arm and a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge. This time, my analog set up is a keeper!!!! What treasures have you come across??????
gemini
Yes I did on craigs list about 5yrs ago I came across an ad for a Mitsubishi tuner for 15.00 so I called up and asked can you give me the model number before I make the trip his reply was Da-f20 and it was in excellent condition, well lets say I hit the road in secounds cab ride to chelsea area in Manhattan and took away this treasure for a fab price of 15.00 if I wanted to be really cheapo I would have walked home and saved a stinken cab ride.
guys guys guys!! y'know, the salvation army is always looking for a few good men... you call them up and give away some of the excess stuff you've been accumulating (i know i have plenty of items stacked up in my closets). i gave away quite a few mid-fi items to goodwill years ago, and got a nice thank-you letter in the mail a few weeks later. now i have some older mac computers that i would like to give to a good (charitable) cause, as long as i can wipe the hard drives.
any suggestions would be appreciated. however, as for the 4 preamps and two amplifiers i have sitting unused, i would like to get some money for those.
but what really kills me are the people on e-bay who want to sell an old 2 page brochure with a PICTURE of a piece of stereo equipment for $25 (plus shipping).
Now, if he would have bought that TT here for $100 it would have been a real bargain even if it was some clueless old man selling it.
"I immediately called the seller who happens to be this older fellow who obviously didn’t have the slightest clue what he’s about to relinquish"

Maybe when you're old and gray, some young wippersnapper will come by and screw you out of something you have while others make it obvious it's been undervalued.

At a minimum you should have told him it was worth more.

Class Act Gemini.
Artemus, LOL!

Gemini, Hmmm... I'd keep the yard sale LPs under your hat too...