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Why is used audio equipment so undesirable?

I’ve upgraded many things over the past couple years and quite frankly there is limited interest and not much to be gained by getting rid of unused equipment. My dealer doesn’t want it. And it’s all fairly new stuff within a few years. It’s easier just to box it and store it away and give it to someone if a situation ever arises. Selling it is ridiculous as I’m lucky to get 30 or 40% Plus all the hassle negotiating when selling, so I keep it.

It’s risky buying used audio equipment so there is no interest even for very nice units. So I’ve got nearly half dozen pieces taking up a lot of space all sitting in their original boxes and maybe next time I buy some new speakers I’ll prepare a list and get a few thousand dollars after paying nearly 4 to 5 time more when new.

Would I buy a used preamp or speakers for $15-$20,000? that might be very risky. So I guess I understand why used audio is not that desirable. After buying something used, you may wonder if it would have sounded different if I bought it new? And there in lies the quandry

 

Much easier buying a used car.

 

emergingsoul
larryi
3,982 posts
 

I don’t know if used audio gear is particularly unloved.  If you compare it with other household appliances, I bet the resale value would be higher than that of a washing machine (who buys used washers?).

Because some of the parts in my gear are vintage and collectable, I can get more than I paid for them.  The midrange compression driver and horn (Western Electric 713b\12025) have nearly doubled in price in the past 15 years.  I am sure the Western Electric input transformer (618a) and output transformers (171c) in my amp has also gone up in value. Everything else has probably lost some value, but I’ve gotten plenty of enjoyment from them.

bigkidz
3,381 posts
 

who is saying that?  Some old gear is better built and better sounding than some new gear like BEL amplifiers.

dinov's avatar
dinov
834 posts
 

I buy used all the time. A no brainer on saving money. Markups on some products are really high and buying used makes sense. Your not the one taking the hit on depreciation. 

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
742 posts
 

Virtually manufactured goods depreciate, though some may go through a depreciation valley of death and emerge the other side as appreciating classics.

Quality audio gear is actually relatively good in terms of value retention and resale.

Compare it to cars, cameras and computers, and that is readily apparent.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,825 posts
 

My system would definitely not be as good if I didn't buy used or demo.   At this point most of my gear is new, but if not for buying used gear I would not have moved up the food chain.   The only thing I have purchased recently without using money from the sale of other gear is the Toolshed Amps 300b I'm having built. 

Not sure if I'll sell my Quicksilver amps and one of my spare preamps,  but if I do it will put $2500 or so back in the Toy Fund.   If not it will be the foundation for a second system.   Not sure on that yet. 

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