At what point do you...


buy new vs used/open box/refurbished/demo, etc? I know this is all cost based relative but just curious where you draw the line and go brand new. For example, online retailer x has a brand new power cable for $499. They also have the exact same power cable (same length) on an open box for $449. Worth it to save the $50 or do you just go brand new? Or would you just always go for the less costly alternative because saving $ is saving $?

 

I have been wanting to get some consistency with my subs, currently I have a LaSpada 10AWG power cable on sub 1 and a Signal Cable Magic Power cable on sub 2. I also see there is a couple of open box Audioquest NRG4 power cables available for $30ea off already discounted brand new ones. I’m thinking of pulling the trigger on the NRG4’s and saving an additional $60 on the pair and using these on my SVS SB4000’s...

 

In some cases you can save significantly by going other than new but then not so much in other cases. I know this is extremely subjective and relative but just wondering how all of you decide when to just go brand new...again just curious how you all decide which direction to go...

kingbr

@Yogiboy.    How about the Noxzema shave cream ad, Take it off, take it all off.

Given that higher end audio equipment should last 20 - 30 years (or longer) why should we be concerned about something that is 2 years old?  Or better yet, something that has been used as a demo in a dealer's showroom and is coming to me with full warranty?  The cost savings can be 25% - 50%.  I don't buy pre-loved to save money, but to allow the purchase of equipment I would have felt guilty paying full price for.  The same reason I like to buy cars that are two years old.  I am happy to let someone else pay 30% of the cost for the thrill of driving it off the lot.  Of course there are exceptions.  Soundlab speakers weren't option used but I still drove a hard bargain on a new pair.  I suppose in the end, I find it hard to respect people who have no respect for money.  I worked far too hard for mine to treat it frivolously.  But that's just me.  Spend yours anyway you want.  Cheers.

bigtwin  One of the reasons that I avoid buying used is because some things require a proper brake in period and there is no way to know how that item was treated and if it was properly broken in.
A proper break in period will determine the longevity of an item and only the original owner knows how something was broken in. Some people take a brand-new car and rag it from day one.  The next buyer of that car will end up with a car that perhaps will only last half as long as it would have had it not been mistreated. 
So, in the end, when considering how many years it has left, would the buyer of that used car really be saving any money? No.  That buyer would actually lose money when you do a cost of ownership analysis over the lifespan of that car.

This is why I don't buy used, particularly speakers, cars or items that should go through a proper break in period, but to each their own...

I buy mostly “Open Box” stuff as it’s usually Brand new equipment sold at a discount. However, I just bought some used PS Audio Kit that so far I’m having a lot of fun with. It’s a good thing to, because the warranty is about to expire.😁