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.

Stick with a top seller one that got raves when it came out and is still manufactured as is - practically unchanged for more than 5 years and yet still gets raves. I mean one model unchanged not one that has version B, C, D E or F with different designs each season. Beware anything that changes in less than a year, as it is obvioulsy like the latest clothing - it has changed by spring! A manufacturer that makes more models than Imelda Marcus has shoes is telling you something....they are a fashion accessary first and foremost - their product is driven by aesthetics and made for those we absolutely have to have the latest fashion! Of course DSP's do change with the newer formats - so that is inevitable and not necessarily a bad sign (so a big exception here)

You'll often find the stuff which lasts is regarded highly for its good value just as much as it is for sound quality (it has broad market appeal and not just the novelty market where rare stratospherically priced items are prized). At the end of the day, if a manufacturer gets it right with a product then ask yourself why would they change? Those that keep changing are trying to revive a flagging relationship with their customers....meaning the novelty of their original product has simply worn thin.

Another trick is to look for the product that made the manufacturer an audiophile well known name - some companies get started on a great product ....it does not mean that everything they make will be as good. Perhaps they priced something too low to begin with and it is a huge success - a "giant killer" - this does not guarentee that subsequent products will be as good or as great in value.

Example of giant killers are AKG240 headphones, which came out in the late 70's. Some speakers have achieved this too (largely unchanged in 30+ years) Some power amps also, On the source front there has been too much development recently to look as far back as 30 years but I would say there are some DAC's with 5 years under their belt that are largely unchanged and that is an encouraging sign, especially if they are still popular...