@ihmeyers -- while I agree that usedcables.com prices are not competitive I think you are 100% off base in ruling out 10+ year old cables. There's not really truly anything new in cable design and at the right price a 10-15 year old cable can be a great deal. Consider the following examples
Nordost Valhalla V1 -- now 15 years old, but still a good cable in the right application and holds its value in the market very well (and didn't I see someone searching for Nordost SPM just a few weeks ago)
Audioquest WEL Signature -- this is still a current cable, but it was introduced in 2007 or so, and while the color and terminations have changed over the years it's still the same cable (and my system reference for interconnect) -- in fact if you ever see AQ Horizon it's even older but still the same cable (the name was used for a short while when the cable was first introduced)
Synergistic CTS -- again 10 years old but still a good series
I could go on but you get the idea
My rule of thumb (when buying or selling) is used cables should be 40-50% of list if <1-2 years old (and current model) and 30-40% if 5-10 years, maybe cheaper if older and/or not desirable
Note there are some exceptions for especially unobtanium cables like Transparent Ref XL digital which owners hang onto, in these cases you may need to pay 60% of list or even more ...
Nordost Valhalla V1 -- now 15 years old, but still a good cable in the right application and holds its value in the market very well (and didn't I see someone searching for Nordost SPM just a few weeks ago)
Audioquest WEL Signature -- this is still a current cable, but it was introduced in 2007 or so, and while the color and terminations have changed over the years it's still the same cable (and my system reference for interconnect) -- in fact if you ever see AQ Horizon it's even older but still the same cable (the name was used for a short while when the cable was first introduced)
Synergistic CTS -- again 10 years old but still a good series
I could go on but you get the idea
My rule of thumb (when buying or selling) is used cables should be 40-50% of list if <1-2 years old (and current model) and 30-40% if 5-10 years, maybe cheaper if older and/or not desirable
Note there are some exceptions for especially unobtanium cables like Transparent Ref XL digital which owners hang onto, in these cases you may need to pay 60% of list or even more ...