All gear depreciates but IME bands with low depreciation have a combination of the following characteristics;
1. Well-regarded brand across their model range, for sound quality, build quality, and value (regardless of the price-point)
2. Models are stable for a relatively long period of time (i.e., the brand does not frequently change models ....think Lamm)
3. Top of their range, i.e., one of the better sounding, better built, values within a given price range
An exception to this IMO is digital gear such as DACs and servers. Yesterday’s excellent digital gear is bettered by today’s very good digital gear (in most cases) and folks who need the cutting edge continue to pay nose-bleed level prices that will not be sustainable on the resale market. This trend should slow down when/if the designs become sorted out to the point where the changes are more about refinements than breaking new ground. Class D amplification sort of trends this way also.
1. Well-regarded brand across their model range, for sound quality, build quality, and value (regardless of the price-point)
2. Models are stable for a relatively long period of time (i.e., the brand does not frequently change models ....think Lamm)
3. Top of their range, i.e., one of the better sounding, better built, values within a given price range
An exception to this IMO is digital gear such as DACs and servers. Yesterday’s excellent digital gear is bettered by today’s very good digital gear (in most cases) and folks who need the cutting edge continue to pay nose-bleed level prices that will not be sustainable on the resale market. This trend should slow down when/if the designs become sorted out to the point where the changes are more about refinements than breaking new ground. Class D amplification sort of trends this way also.