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One's trash is someone else's treasure

I would be interested to find out what “treasures” you people have come across in your journey to audio nirvana on the used market. For me, it was in 1993 (I don’t remember if the internet was already at its early stages of development – I don’t think so), and I came across an ad in our local newspaper for a Linn LP-12. The second I read the ad, I immediately called the seller who happens to be this older fellow who obviously didn’t have the slightest clue what he’s about to relinquish. I drove to his apartment and there it was, a Linn LP-12 complete with an LVX tone arm, a K9 cartridge and the smoke dustcover – all in excellent condition. The asking price? $100!!!! While I was in his apartment checking the table out, the seller received about three phone calls regarding the LP-12 too bad for those prospective buyers but first come, first serve. Talk about someone’s trash being someone else’s treasure!!!! About three years later, I sold the table for $900! It was about this time when the digital front end was really taking off with the transport and outboard DAC options. Now, I’m back into vinyl (just recently got back actually) and have a VPI Scout Aries with JMW 9 arm and a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge. This time, my analog set up is a keeper!!!! What treasures have you come across??????
gemini
audiodoc
25 posts
 
If the person selling the turntable was selling it via newspaper ad, I presume he did not consider it "trash" but something of value he was selling to raise funds. The seller obviously lacked knowledge of its true value, whereas the buyer did. Given the wide gap in the true value vs selling price (9x), I personally would not have felt comfortable buying it under those circumstances for ethical reasons (but legally it would be legitimate.) I am glad to see the Audiogon respondents to this thread have high ethical standards: that is why I like Audiogon and buy with confidence from many of its members.

I think the question "what are the greatest audio treasures you have found" is a good question but in that question I envision more of a discussion of items that were outright discarded and found by you or broken items bought for a song and fixed to become valuable items.
Regards,
jndean
132 posts
 
Every day our ethics are tested many times in large and small ways. It's life. I am sure we can all recall times when we have done the right thing and times when we have done the wrong thing. I believe that I would now do what Mrtennis suggested, but who knows about the past.One has to see that there is am ethical issue in the first place to have any chance af responding appropriately. Often we just miss it. My first concern when I read the thread was of the old man as well. Gemini just missed it. He probably won't miss it next time. And the rest of us may have missed that we have a self righteous attitude...including me.
jb8312
247 posts
 
I would have done the same thing. I once sold a MTB for much less then it was worth, I needed the money bad. Furhtermore, I was about 15 years older then the kid that bought it, so I was "the Old guy". If he had offered any more than I had asked I would have thought "nice kid, but not to bright...he's going to end up spending his nights posting on message boards on the iternet or something...."

On the other hand, I was unloading a Thule Bike Rack offering it up for free to my local club, "first one to pick it up gets it"...The guy that got it gave me $50 bucks...The differecne is that it was "free", I had placed no value on it. In early case, I set a price to move it. I could have charged more, but I was in need of cash.

You guys need to get off your high horse.

John
schipo
1,268 posts
 
Yes I did on craigs list about 5yrs ago I came across an ad for a Mitsubishi tuner for 15.00 so I called up and asked can you give me the model number before I make the trip his reply was Da-f20 and it was in excellent condition, well lets say I hit the road in secounds cab ride to chelsea area in Manhattan and took away this treasure for a fab price of 15.00 if I wanted to be really cheapo I would have walked home and saved a stinken cab ride.
french_fries
815 posts
 
guys guys guys!! y'know, the salvation army is always looking for a few good men... you call them up and give away some of the excess stuff you've been accumulating (i know i have plenty of items stacked up in my closets). i gave away quite a few mid-fi items to goodwill years ago, and got a nice thank-you letter in the mail a few weeks later. now i have some older mac computers that i would like to give to a good (charitable) cause, as long as i can wipe the hard drives.
any suggestions would be appreciated. however, as for the 4 preamps and two amplifiers i have sitting unused, i would like to get some money for those.
but what really kills me are the people on e-bay who want to sell an old 2 page brochure with a PICTURE of a piece of stereo equipment for $25 (plus shipping).
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