SELLING IT ALL

@ 
don_c55

I have been screwed on craigslist Vancouver only twice after hundreds of transactions buying/selling AV and other household objects for many years. What's more, as a freelancer, I acquire very nearly 100% of my pro clients -- nooo, not THAT kind of "freelancer" or "pro clients" :) -- on CL. Ironically, it was the latter that screwed me for payment, one of which I had insisted on a 50% deposit so I was only 1/2 screwed in that instance.
Nonetheless, selling this pile on CL would be arduous and unnecessary when there are more appropriate alternatives already mentioned elsewhere in this thread.

Short answer: eBay for the most eyes and most secure payment, then Craigslist, then physical store somewhere around you that takes items on consignment, OR if any of this equipment was bought recently (find/check receipts; this is a shot in the dark) you might be able to return equipment if it was very recently bought.  It's great that he kept the boxes and probably the packing materials too, along with the paperwork, manuals and accessories. Sounds like you have a plan and am probably already putting it into action.  Good luck.                                                                                         I have worked for estate sale companies, sold items through consignment stores/eBay/Amazon/Craigslist and held huge yard sales (never bought/sold anything on Audiogon, so cannot comment), so let me break those down.  If you do the selling yourself it will take longer and make you interact with strangers, but you will get the most money if you research the items and know what they're worth.  Craigslist is free, but there is always the manner of being paid and dealing directly with the buyer.  eBay will take at least a 12.55% cut for each item, but more people will see the items, the payment is secure, and if you ship it (you don't have to, you can specify local pickup only), you never have to directly deal with strangers.  Estate sale companies and consignment stores make it easier to sell stuff because you don't have to sell the equipment yourself and you pick up a check when the items are sold.  Advisory that not all estate sale companies/consignment stores are the same, nor are all of them competent in properly putting a value to your husband's equipment, because most of them (at most) will look up a similar item that sold on eBay and base the price on that; estate sales usually discount the items because they won't sell at actual value there, because people are looking for deals - even more so at yard sales (which I wouldn't bother with because it sounds like you have a lot of quality equipment).  You might have a hifi store around you that will take used items on consignment; they will have a good idea of the value of a piece and how much they can get for it.  Figure at least 25%-50% commission.                                          

A cautionary tale for all of us out here - make a list of your equipment with searchable name (add special model or upgrade info) and price paid and make sure a friend, significant other or executor of your will has a copy so they know what they are dealing with - non-audiophiles, even ones you live with, can have no clue of what you have or what it's worth.

Why not get the model numbers together and list it on Audiogon? Some of those brands like Thiel , Bryston will bring good $$$$. Don't be taken advantage of. This is good audio equipment.

My heart goes out to you for your loss. I'm sure your husband must have had a good friend that had similar interests. Contact him/her and see if for the honor of keeping an item to help remember him, maybe he could help you in the liquidation of his system. Maybe some of his friends would like the opportunity to own some of his life's hobby. 
    Regards, Tracy.