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Random question/ thoughts about stuff for sale here

Guys and Gals - 

Maybe it's just me, but oftentimes, when I see equipment for sale here on Audiogon that I'm not personally familiar with, I have a tendency to develop an immediate bias that the equipment is deficient in some way (inherent to the product, not the actual item for sale).  

I know that audiophiles (by nature) are always swapping gear and trying new things in pursuit of perfection, but when I see something for sale, I subconsciously and irrationally conclude that the gear didn't live up to that hope and I mark it off my list as something I would ever consider buying.  This is true whether it's a phono preamp, cables, speakers or anything for that matter.

I know it's an unfounded bias, but one that I'm not able to move on from.

Is this just me or do others feel similarly?

Thanks

Greg

gregkohanmim
mechans
3,048 posts
 

to the OP , the seller may find that the component for sale doesn't work well in his system for any variety of reasons.  That doesn't mean that it won;t work in your system, In fact it might be the magic you are looking for.  The vast , vast majority of long time agoners are very honest.  They will not sell you broken crap like I have gotten on Ebay.

@ Stfoth the term we use Wife Acceptance Factor or WAF.

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
It's you Greg.

So by your thinking, anything you see for sale you lose interest in because someone else is getting rid of it? Alrighty then!

Interesting, I never thought of it that way. I guess I've been buying used stuff for so long I don't even think of it like that.
I look at it as I can now afford to buy something that I could not afford to buy previously.

The 'raves' you are reading about on the forums are probably from boutique manufacturers. Very small quantities. That is the laws of resale. You will find many more used popular items for sale than you will find less prominent items.
Someone sells 5,000 preamps, you will find more of them on the used market than someone who sells 50 preamps. Simple as that.

Part of this hobby is that some folks love to find that 'diamond in the rough'. Something that punches way outside of it's weight class. I've been there myself. In a sense we are all still just panning for gold.

Sure, there is stuff like that out there, but all fads eventually fizzle, and resale on those boutique pieces is killer. You basically have to 'give them' away once everyone moves on to the next fad.

It's just a marketplace, don't over think it.
mesch
3,529 posts
 
Since my retirement I have renewed my interest in audio. I have bought and sold many audio components on AG, and bought on Ebay. This activity fostered development of 4 systems:  speakers, DAC, cables for my primary system in a dedicated room; all components for my secondary system used outside on deck; most components for my tertiary system which supports video and audio in living room; and those for my headphone system. I have swapped out equipment in the development of each system, however once I reach 'evolutionary climax' with a system, which has been a 3-4 year process for any system, I tend to keep it with minor changes for several years. This is now true for all but the headphone system which I might change out regarding the amp/DAC configuration. Prior to retirement I owned the same system for ~25 years. As with the aforementioned ones, it also took about 3 years to develop. 

I won't try to speak for others, however in my case, I buy and sell with the goal of developing a audio system for a specific environment, possessing a sonic synergy for that environment, and once developed to satisfaction enjoy that system for a long time.  
gregkohanmim OP
153 posts
 
OK then - So it's confirmed through consensus - I'm crazy :)


Greg
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