Buying Used Audio- Has It Been a Good Experience For You?

Music Maven · « **on:** 9 Nov 2004, 02:45 am »

Just an informal survey---

If you have bought a used component in the last year or so, what type was it (amp, speaker, cable, etc.) was it from a dealer or individual, and did you purchase through mail-order, internet, etc.? If internet, was it via AudioGon or elsewhere? Was it a good transaction or not? Is there definitely a type of component you would NOT buy used? Do you have any general advice about things to consider asking when entertaining a pre-owned component? Have I asked enough questions, LOL?

Jerry

orthobiz · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 02:48 am »

Love my Ed Hanlon Magnum Dynalab tuner!
antennaperformance.com

Love my attick APS gigantic antenna! Pointed it north of Cadillac, MI and reception and sound has never been better.

Now, if I could get my wife to think that a roof mount is the way to go...(maybe watching some old Flinstones would help)

biz

dave_c · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 03:00 am »

Bought almost all my gear via Audiogon. Only once did I get gear that wasn't as described. Said the speakers were mint but I found a ding on the cabinet. I let it slide for some reason. But overall, I think its the only way to go. Untill I hit it big and can afford all paying full price.

jswallac · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 03:09 am »

I am still a real newbie at this stuff, so I am churning through a lot of equipment. In the last year I have purchased two tube amps (A Jolida and a Sophia Electric), one tube preamp (Dared), one phono preamp (Parasound), a tubed CDP (Ah! Tjoeb), two SACD players (Pioneer 563 and Philips 963), a Bolder Mesna DAC, a Kavent A210 hybrid integrated amp, a pair of Meadowlark Audio speakers, the often written about JVC digital, and a few miscellaneous cables. Probably left out one or two items. I have also sold most of these things after playing with them a short time. I am still trying to decide what I want when I finally grow up. Other than the JVC, Pioneer, and Philips, everything was bought used either from EBay or Audiogon. The only bad experience came from a brick and mortar (actually bought from Ebay but picked up locally from a store) with the JVC. Everything else went quite smoothly. I am very careful about what I pay and I try to be sure what I buy has a good resale value. Every round trip has been within $30 or so. Therefore I would rate myself as a very happy used equipment buyer. I am also most appreciative of what I can learn from sites like this. Of course I probably would not be doing all the buying and selling if it where not for hearing about new things here. Also, I have come to the conclusion that Ebay is best for selling and Audiogon is best for buying. People tend to go a bit crazy on Ebay, often times getting caught up in the auction hysteria and paying way to much. Audiogon buyers and sellers appear much more educated on value.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 03:15 am »

Where do I start?
I've bought and sold several pieces of gear through almost every scenario possible over the past year.

Overall, I prefer dealing with a local dealer, second someone I know online.... and they're 2nd only because of shipping... and then used from Audiogon or Ebay 3rd. I've had mostly good experiences on Audiogon but I get tired of dealing with some of the ninnies... Ninnies are the people who have a lot of hang-ups and/or try to negotiate an unfairly low price.

Buying used is the best way to get your money back from gear I've found. Taking good care of your gear while you have it is key. Also, the main reason I prefer local deals... SHIPPING. UPS and FedEx tend to put my packaging to its ultimate test every time these days. Luckily, it has stood up to most of it but resolving a claim seems to require a lawyer.

Overall, Audiogon is OK but I've been super happy with the transactions from the Trading post. (Thanks for my tubes, Vasu!)

At this point, anything I could ever want, Lonewolf probably has, so, I'll just PM him if I need something.

-C

vpolineni · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 03:26 am »

carl, did you already receive them? let me know how you like them.

jerry,
i agree with carl-the trading post here is a great way to buy and sell since you'll most likely know the other person involved. If you're going with audiogon or ebay, use some kind of payment protection-ie using your credit card or paypal. I recently had a bad experience but I luckily used my credit card and was refunded. On the other hand, I sent jeff (captain humble) a cashier's check so he could have taken my money and ran to mexico but I know him and trust him... the used market is a great way to try stuff and not lose much money. your best bet is always to act on the side of caution (if a deal's too good to be true, paying in cash, etc).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 04:23 am »

Quote from: Carlman

At this point, anything I could ever want, Lonewolf probably has, so, I'll just PM him if I need something.

Well Carl, I don't have everything....but I'm working on it.

warnerwh · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 04:47 am »

Buying used is the way to go. You can get stuff at half price that was well cared for and if you don't like it you'll take little loss if any. I haven't had any serious problems with anybody. All my transactions at Audiogon and here have gone well.

Hantra · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 12:44 pm »

I haven't kept count, but I'll say I have bought probably 60+ pieces of used gear in the past few years. 2003 was a year where I had 43 transactions on the Gon. I would say it is an excellent way to find what you are looking for without taking a bath.

It's kind of funny though b/c right now, I only have one piece of used gear in my system, and it's a powercord that I bought from my dealer after trying it out.

It really helps when you can get hooked up with an excellent dealer who will take time with you, and that's where I got my entire system except for the front-end, whcih I built.

Captain Humble · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 01:03 pm »

vpolineni said:

Quote

On the other hand, I sent jeff (captain humble) a cashier's check so he could have taken my money and ran to mexico but I know him and trust him

Being an Italian boy, I would have run to New Jersey.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 02:00 pm »

Cool topic. For 10 years my system sat the same, and I was happy with it. Then I discovered the boards here, and at other sites...

I have bought a used Bolder DIO, then the Bolder PS for the DIO, then some Bolder M-80's, then had the DIO upgraded to Mensa (OK, that was actually a transaction for something "new" I guess), a couple of Bolder digital cables, a Monarchy DIP Superdrive, a Nakamichi CD4 to use as a transport, a B&K pre/pro, a passive PS Audio pre, ALL this year.

Most of it was Agon and here, and in spite of the shipping costs to Canada, I have made out well, met some great people, received some great advice, and made some significant improvements to my system.

I recommend buying used, once you have lurked around here long enough, to get to know some people, or ask some people for help and opinions on gear, and sellers.

Thanks to all that have assisted me in this!

R_burke · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 02:52 pm »

I have bought electronics from Gon and EBay and sold all sorts of stuff on Gon. Bought music from AC, Gon and EBay, so far everything has worked well.

When it comes to speakers I haven't bought anything used, mostly because I feel strongly about hearing and seeing speakers in my set up before buying. Plus everytime I've bought speakers I auditioned several different ones before purchasing something that doesn't work well with the various sites.

doug s. · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 04:57 pm »

i have bought & sold a lot of stuff this past year, mostly on agon & ebay. tuners, amps, speakers, even a (40+ year old) turntable. the only problems i have had were related to ups, purolator, & fedex. they seem to have gotten especially clumsly, recently.

anyone want a mint <6 months old thule audio spirit ia100 integrated amp?

http://www.thule-audio.com/
http://www.thule-audio.com/products/ia100.htm

doug s.

djbnh · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 10:24 pm »

In the last year, purchased NOS tubes, and a used TT, on A-Gon from persons with perfect ratings. Outside of one package ~~mashed by FedEx (although packaging by seller was excellent), I have had no issues. Just my 2 cents.~~

Rich Carlson · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Nov 2004, 10:43 pm »

With no local dealer who carries anything remotely high end, virtually everything in my systems has been purchased on line. I've got several used components in the main system right now. Knock on wood, I've yet to have a bad experience purchasing on line (eBay, Audiogon, and Audioshopper as well as several on line dealers). One of my favorite components is my z-Systems RDQ-1 digital equalizer, which I'd never have tried at retail price.
Rich

Christof · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 01:06 am »

My best luck has been right here at the trading post where I've purchased/traded a couple amps, CDP, cables, drivers, preamps and speakers. I have never been let down by an AC member, I'm sure there is a scammer or two here but it's pretty easy to get a feel for people around here before you buy. My worst luck has been on ebay, where I will never again purchase anything audio related.

c.

maxwalrath · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 01:33 am »

Of the 30 or so pieces of audio equipment I've owned, maybe 3 were factory direct. If I could afford new prices I'd pay them for the piece of mind of a good warranty and the possibility of a home trial.

The only bad experience I had was UPS's fault, and with the help of the guy who sold me the the gear that got ruined, everything was made right.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 03:35 pm »

A lot of my system was purchased used, demo or B-stock. In the past year I bought an ASL AQ2004 tube preamp and NOS tubes for it. The preamp was nice, but didn't have enough inputs and didn't have a phono stage, so I sold it to finance the purchase of a Bryston that did. I also purchased my Vandersteen 2C speakers used, as well as my Music Hall MMF-5 turntable.

Most of the used gear I've purchased I found on Audiogon. I have found a lot of media (DVDs, vinyl, etc.) on various boards, including this one. I haven't had any problems with those purshases. In fact, the only trouble I've had was on eBay, so I simply won't use it anymore.

Eric · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 04:19 pm »

So far so good for me. I purchased a used Camelot Dragon Pro 2 Mk II that I love and has worked perfectly. I purchased it through agon. I also purchased a used monter hts3500 whcih works great.

Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Nov 2004, 11:20 pm »

Hi,

I bought a used perpetual technologies p3a and monolithic power supply from another audiocircle member in australia.

I also bought a perpetual technologies p1a which i bought off audiogon and shipped it from the states to oz. It worked out fine.

regards

rod

ps look at their ratings before sending any money.