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How "Rare" are Audio Classics, Really


Sellers often say things like "RARE Eucalyptus finish!'" or increasingly RARE and hard to find!

I like to read about cars, where if a certain Porsche or Ferrari numbered only in the hundreds they are indeed more valuable than mass produced models.

Collector cars which number in the single digits can cost more than a nice house in Santa Barbara.

Which makes me wonder: how rare, really, are certain collectible audio components, in terms of their production numbers?

How many Tympani IVa's, Audio Research D70's, Marantz Tuners, McIntosh power amps, Rogers LS35a's etc etc have really been made?

Please note this question applies only to real classics, from reputable manufacturers.

Your purple gull wing doored fiberglass kit car replica of Magnum PIs Ferrari may indeed be "one of kind", just like your garage built electomagnetic shielding devices and custom African hardwood enclosed power stations, but a no reserve auction will quickly confirm the true value of those "rare" items.

What are the most rare, classic audio components, and how many might remain in the world today?
cwlondon
Post removed 
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Ohm A

I'd guess less than a dozen pair exist.

Almost as rare as the 1967 L-88 Corvette (depending on your source 23-26 produced; supposedly 3 surviviors)
rodman99999
6,206 posts
 
ANY Futterman OTL amp: (http://meta-gizmo.net/futtrmn/intro-futtrmn.html) (http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/clsk.pl?ampstube&1262986958)
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Most of the classic units have been reproduced with updated parts, leading to much better sound. The 'classic' designs are currently being sold by Cayin/VAS. Their business model is to take the classic designs and reproduce them in a cost effective way. I've owned many Marantz and Mac classics and no way do they sound better then today's units. People who buy the classics are doing a 'collector's' thing, not looking for better sound.
jdoris
972 posts
 
Just a pet peeve: the usual use of "rare" here does not seem to reference vintage collectables of the sort people like Al are interested in, but some or another unusual or custom option -- eg, "rare braised persimmon finish." Not sure why this is even worthy of mention, in many cases, and it usually drives me to click elsewhere: "Sounds like a paint-shaker, but you'll be the only person in your subdivision to have one." Sorry, I feel better now. John
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