What's Worth More on the Open Market - Your Records or Your Audio Gear

I've started a 3-year downsizing process and have a Discogs store (discogs.com/seller/jazzhotnj) where have 2,000 CDs/LPs listed (out of a total of 20,000) and list new items every day.  CDs are easy to list using their UPC but for LPs I have to take a close look at their  Matrix/Runout.

I'm getting emails at a2zrecordsandcds@aol.com from buyers looking for items I  haven't had a chance to list.

Scott   

I think most of us realize selling a collection as a "whole" is a great way to get pennies on the dollar, or less, for it. Going the DiscOgs route and listing individually is the only chance many of us have to see decent return on our collections, albeit at a very large cost of time. 

Selling a gear "system" is also terrible for this reason. Nobody wants YOUR collection of gear or music. They want their OWN collection, and at best they may be interested in one of your pieces here or there. With hifi systems, at least there's maybe only a dozen or 2 components at most, and they're each a large average value, so it's definitely worth the extra effort of selling piece by piece. 

On Ebay, my 25,000 LPs/7,000 78s/7,000 CDs have a probable sale value of $225,000 (but it would take yeas to sell).  Gold jazz/rock DCC CDs are quite valuable as are the obscure violinist LPs ($150 to $500 each) and original stereo Decca LPs (similar range).  Then there is the rare ethnic 78s and LPs worth $20 to $75 each.  Otherwise, most of my records would garner 25¢ to $2 each (especially my 5,000 Opera/Vocal LPs).  Despite mostly mint condition.  I have a collection for sale of 2,000+ unused 78s mostly orchestral and 15% vocal, mostly HMV and European Columbias from the 1930s and 1940s for $1,000 (I'm not about to put them on ebay or ship them).  I sold the Resphigi MSFL Maazel LP for $225 in 2019.  Ridiculous as I found it to sound terrible as do my mastering engineer friends.  However, there are about half a dozen listed for more than that and they generally are so sellers at $300+.  I also sold half a dozen Disney LPs for $50 to $90 on ebay in 2018, again rare stereo versions of Funicello, etc. LPs So there is a reasonable market price on ebay.   Most ebay sellers are unrealistic as to the value of their records (too high or condition is inferior in their listing).

So, I am being realistic in stating that my music collection is worth somewhat more than my equipment.  Without the music collection, my audio is worthless.  With even a cheap audio system, my music collection is my treasure. 

Selling much of my spare audio gear would be a cinch as I have Mac 30s, amps, Fisher 400 and 500 receivers and other classic tube gear that has greatly appreciated in value in the past decade.  I think they will continue to appreciate.  My unused EAR equipment is depreciating but has a level value at about 40% to 60% of new price and would sell fast.