used vs "Giant Killer"

Top-shelf used gear is the smokin' bargain of the audiophile world. If you don't mind buying something that's been handled by someone else, there are terrific deals to be had.

You need to know exactly what you want, how much you're willing to pay, and have the money ready. Then it's just a matter of persuing the used sites diligently for the item you seek. Patience is a virtue, but the willingness and ability to pull the trigger quickly can reap top-flight gear for 40 to 60 cents on the dollar.

One of the advantages of buying used is that, generally, the depreciation is absorbed by the original owner. This allows you to keep the gear for a while and still get (most of) your money back when it comes time to upgrade.

It's been working for me for many years, and I see no reason to change...

Good luck!

-RW-

YES. You get what you pay for (hopefully). When you buy used someone else has already payed half the cost. I have been an audio dealer off and on for 40 years and there is one thing I can tell you, no matter HOW good a piece of equipment is , there is always somebody selling it at a big loss. Also, budget companies come and go, good companies tend to endure. I remember selling a couple of Lux C35 preamps 25 years ago for 3 or 4 hundred dollars. I see one advertised now for $1500. Speakers, amps, turntables , etc., keep their value over the long haul. CD equipment is a little different, but most of my playback units are from the 90s and they sound very good. Speakers are an outrageous bargain used. I just bought a great pair for about 25% of their current retail cost. Remember that parts quality is critical to sound, even the best products seldom use the best available parts, the budget lines often use poor quality ones. This as not to say that there are not good low cost units, but even there if you are willing to drop back one or two generations you will save half the cost.

Gear takes a while to break in, so a lot of times you buy something from someone, especially if they trade out of it within 1 yr, that is just starting to sound it's best. Someone who may know more please corret me, but as far as speakers go, there's really not that much that has changed in about 30 yrs. Refinements to be sure, but not a paradigm shift type change. I have heard plenty of Quad 57's and Klipschorns, run off of cleaned up but original configuations that sound every bit as good as anything new.

I think the best tube amp I have ever heard was an old McInstosh, maybe it was the tubes in it, but man did that thing sing through the 60's era Klipschorns. In fact the dude had an AR ES turntable (tricked out with newer parts though, and a great arm, I think it was an SME) but it was an older Mac preamp, all original. Wow, it rocked. I distinctly remember him playing an original pressing of Who's Next. Great stuff.

I think used gear always. The only thing I have ever bought new was my current preamp and sub (reciever doesn't count since you are paying for latest technology and I only use it for HT). Cables, speakers, amps, power conditioner (when you can), disk player, DAC all used. Particulary the power amps. How much have the really changed? Class D amps are different, but high end tube and SS amps are basically the same as the were 20 years ago. For an example listen to the Parasound 2200 vs the Parasound Halo a21: is the Halo better? Yes, but not that much, and not 2300 better if you bought it new. Well, that's my opinion.

I would rather buy used McIntosh, Magnepan, Cary, Parasound, Linn, Musical Fidelity than new Consonance.