2. amps-preamps
  3. 156620-125

Opinions on the current market

I’ve been reading extensively, trying to narrow down the best option for a tube pre to add to my system. The nature of the hobby is such that I expect to try a few different options, so I’m curious about people’s opinions on the market right now. Figuring I’ll have to resell whatever i try, I’d like to ‘buy right’ now. I’m not by nature an equipment flipper, but there are just too many possible options to expect to get it right first time. Anyone else looking at prices now, with informed opinions of whether the market is good or not for a buyer?
english210
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Market is great jump on something asap.
english210 OP
175 posts
 
Millercarbon, so my item of zero intrinsic value being traded for a component of some inherent value, I.e. ‘dollars’ for a component, means I shouldn’t worry how many of my dollars are traded for said component? 10k of them for a used Schuett Freya? When was the last time you did that?
english210 OP
175 posts
 
Isochronism, nice RE-write:) @hilde45, I’d been watching your thread, interested in the outcome, but missed where you ended up with the QS. Enjoy!! You put in a lot of work to get there :) My old lazy butt requires a remote though
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I would rather be holding US Dollars right now over any other world paper currency. Just look at the USD outperform every world currency since the beginning of the year as the demand for dollars is running off the charts. This being fueled in part by fears of Europe cancelling its currency and the IMF even talking about launching a program to address the global shortage of dollars! The fact that the IMF is talking about providing a backup to the Fed’s campaign to help Central banks but creating a repo market for them to get dollars shows just how incredible the shortage of US dollars is. Yep, give me US dollars any day in our current environment.  This could create a great buying opportunity for US consumers to purchase audio gear for example being sold in Europe in the near future.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,859 posts
 
@english210 I struggled with that too. But the non-remote version is a different design and multiple people convinced me that non-remote is the way to go. Since I'm streaming a lot, I have control over that volume, so it's not a big hassle.

Here's what I wound up with, much during the last couple months:

SPEAKERS
  • SALK SS 6M — these are being built (well, after the shutdown is lifted) and then I’ll TRY them for 30 days to see if they work. Others are being considered. Opinions are welcome.
  • Sub: REL 328 
AMPLIFICATION
  • QS Linestage
  • QS Monos amp
SOURCES
  • CD transport: Cambridge CXC
  • Streamer: Bluesound Node 2i
  • DAC IT (peachtree) — older; just to tide me over
  • DAC ORCHID — this is my keeper

CABLES

  • optical Toslink: for CD player
  • interconnect 1 coaxial digital: Analysis Plus Crystal Digital & Audioquest Forest
  • interconnects analog RCA: Analysis Plus Copper Oval
  • Power for sources and amps: Pangea Audio AC 9 & 14 SE MKII
  • Analysis Plus Oval 12 speaker cables

POWER

  • Conditioner: Panamax 1500

And since this thread is about saving $, here is what I saved via sales or used off list price:

  • Cables: 44%
  • Sources: 21%
  • Speakers: 16% (just off the REL sub)
  • Amplification: 17%
  • Power: 80%

OVERALL system savings: 24%
Do I know how much to attribute to Covid/current market forces? No, I don't. Maybe people shopping carefully do this all the time. 
More to discover