[Ear Rake]

I have, like all of us a ton of equipment, vinyl and tapes that i rotate and listen to den/musicroom/living room bedroom and garage all have systems.  My kids like music but have no interest in learning about my gear.  I'm not one foot in the grave, and have no intent to sell, but I don't want my kids throwing it all in the bin when I kick the bucket, os selling below market value.   Anyone else in this position/? I'd love to hear suggestions on how you are dealing with it.

[Bodhi]

Firstly welcome to the forum . I'm (hopefully) a long way from checking out of planet Earth. But I have thought about what i'd do with my system and music collection when I reach my golden years. The first thing I envisage doing is downsizing to a smaller, simpler system incl: something like the Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX MKII Integrated Amp/DAC/Streamer, Ediscreation Bach music server and pair of stand mounts.

Then when I reach my very advanced years, I'd probably be happy with something like a Naim Mu-so 2nd Gen all in one box and my server, plus a newer version of my current Tivoli Networks+ dab radio. By then i'd want to sell off or get rid of as many non-essential things I own which aren't going to a beneficiary, to make it much simpler for my executor to manage my estate. The bottom line is - don't leave your most prized items, incl: collections of music, books etc in the hands of your executor to sell off if they're not going to a beneficiary in your will. That's my take anyway.

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC     I've got a buddy, who's also my executor and an audio nut, as well as a couple of other friends who are into the hobby, and I'm leaving it all to them in my will. Sell, use, whatever they like. I've also been asked to provide guidance and assistance to his wife with his gear should he pass before me. As you hopefully have a good bit of time yet maybe one of your kids will develop an interest. One can always hope. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I am lucky that my son has become an audiophile.   He will inherit most of my gear and my daughter will inherit some as well.  Probably my vinyl rig as my son has a great vinyl set up.

Invite your kids over 1 at a time for dinner and music.  Tell them that you would like them to take some gear because it is important to you.

[toocool4]

Welcome to AudioCircle Ear Rake

This is a sensitive subject, but my view is simple: if you don’t want your gear to be sold at the wrong price or to the wrong person, start passing on what you no longer need and keep only what matters to you. Ideally, when I’m gone I’d like my gear to find a good home, but I will not be around to worry about it then.

[Letitroll98]

As I age and my health declines I've been thinking a lot about the here after.

I walk into a room and wonder what I'm here after.

My two sons have informed me that I need to have a will with specific instructions on what to keep because otherwise it's all going into the dumpster.  One son has a little interest in audio, I rehabbed a nice Pioneer direct drive table for him and gifted a pair of speakers, so I imagine he'll get most of the audio stuff.

[brooklyn]

Welcome to the forum Ear Rake

I have a buddy thats 71 years old with a ton of vintage gear through out him home. His grown children have no interest in what he has. He has no interest in downsizing, as a matter of fact he is still bringing gear into his home.. We talked about it and he couldn’t care less what his kids do with what’s left.. He focuses on what he wants to do while he’s alive.. I’m in his camp.

On the other hand, I’m 70 years old with no children. I have a younger brother who is the executor of our will, he gets everything if my wife and I go at the same time.. If my wife survives me she has a list of my gear and what it might be worth on the used market if she so desirers to sell.. I have good friends that might help her with that. While I no longer accumulate much except new music and swapping out a piece of gear or two once in a while. I will only sell if my health starts to declines rapidly.. otherwise I’m done. Like my buddy says, when I’m gone I’m gone.. I’m sure someone will enjoy what I leave behind, thats fine with me.

[FullRangeMan]

In the 1990s we are blessed to have a audio dealer shop in the city, there was a buch of clients in that shop, all audiophiles, some with deep pockets, but there was one that was not audiophile, a real music lover, his system was a simple Sony boom box, General Wilson was a Opera fan with around 600 titles in LP, Cassete and CD etc

Unfortunately to everyone's surprise Gen.Wilson died unexpectedly, After the ceremonies the General's friends waited three days and went to visit the widow with the intention of buying their late friend's collection, to everyone's surprise, another friend of Gen.Wilson already had anticipated them and already had bought many of the most attractive Operas.

[JLM]

With my failing ears and a move into a smaller house there was no room for in-room listening, so a friend sold my gear and I'm down to a MacBook, Tidal, and headphones.  Problem solved. The point is to sell before that day comes. 

[Photon46]

I've thought about the OP's question as well. I realized the question, for myself at any rate, arises from an emotional attachment to possessions that is irrelevant after dying. I  purchased them with the intent of enhancing my life and they served that purpose. After that, it's of no concern to me. My estate executor can either distribute what other family members desire (if they want anything) or sell to an audio dealer in the area. Like others here, as I become more frail, I'll get rid of more gear and simplify.

[FireGuy]

Cool subject.  Since I'm alone here as the group (fam) audiophile, I've sold some gear to pare things down which is easier to manage.  I've got two sons who do understand the better stuff and hopefully they'll appreciate its value when the time comes.   I do plan to have a discussion with them (with IPAs of course) to reinforce how great good sound can be and hope for no attic storage.  For now, it's my best option. 

[Bodhi]

"Hey, everybody, let's have some fun
You only live but once
And when you're dead you're done, so
Let the good times roll" - B.B.King

[dflee]

I'm gonna go down having fun. This hobby to me is personal in the fact that I am now alone in life
so once I'm gone, it don't matter. I'm 70 now with aids and glasses and will not let that deter me.
My 5K aids have improved my low level listening but when the stereo is cranked up has very little use.
They start cutting out at 80 db so I still hear as always. And I do turn that dial up a lot. I put very little
value in things once I no longer need or want them and once I'm gone I don't think I'll have much use
for the stereo. Hope whoever ends up with it enjoys it but it ain't up to me to worry about.

Don

[WGH]

... but I don't want my kids throwing it all in the bin when I kick the bucket, os selling below market value.

Why not? You'll be dead. It's just stuff and by the time you kick the bucket, old stuff at that. Actually the best use for all your stuff is to give it away to a music lover, which will happen anyway.

I figure my $1,000 RCA cables will be thrown in the trash. Nobody will recognize the brand name - Hapa or Radio Shack, it's all the same to them, they're just trash. Same with speakers, very few people have heard of Salk Speakers (and the company is out of business) - off to Goodwill they go along with all the electronics.

The Universe is laughing at our foibles.

[rodge827]

I’ve got a list in my file cabinet marked Audio of everything I have and a relative selling price. Also a list with friends that will help and associated gear selling sites. It’s in my will so the hope is my wife/kids will do the right thing and either keep or sell.

[rooze]

I’ve been downsizing for the last year, driven by the irrational thought that my stuff will literally be dumped for pennies on the dollar after I croak it- thoughts inspired by stuff like this: https://youtu.be/97tXnPMSUGg?si=7K_a3fxG6JrZCGzt