• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Buying gear without ever having heard it?

B&K AV5000 amp (based on B&K reputation)

Definitive Technology SuperCube Reference subwoofer (based on a review)

Celestion SL6S (based on review and reputation)

I’ve been very happy with all of the above, fortunately.
 
Yamaha A-S2000, A-S2100, NP-S2000, POLK LSiM 707. All purchased based on review and studying the construction & schematics. No regrets.
 
There have been few if any cases where I was able to actually hear a piece of gear before buying it. In most cases I was getting a good enough deal that it didn't matter and/or was confident that I would be able to fix any problems that it did have. For example, many of the speakers I've bought had rotted foam. It's hard to test a speaker with rotted foam, but it's an easy fix for me at this point.
 
Recently bought a Rotel 1572 without hearing one. It replaced a 1072 so I had some idea what to expect and it has not disappointed at all.
 
most of the stuff I've bought wasn't operational when I bought it, so this is a fairly typical situation for me.
 
E2 said:
Or their drivers.....;)
Click to expand...
Copy that. Back in '87 I replicated two pairs of the Consequence. This is when you could still purchase the drivers from Madisound. IIRC, the drivers alone back then in '87 cost me $3-4K.
 
Buying 'used' gear sight unseen certainly can be a Gamble.

All you can do is > do whatever you can do to not have a bad outcome. And then still... it does happen - bad gear. There will be losses - calculated losses, you're playing the 'buying sight unseen' used stereo equipment game.

As long as the 'losses' are kept to a minimum and you end up getting exactly what you desire, want, & need... " All's well that ends well! " is the way I figure it.

I personally lost $ on some very rare speakers, lemon cassette deck, and a pair of cables. But everything else I purchased was totally functional and really nice! Amp/TT/etc.

The BIG THING I've found is to get some really good communications going on with the seller. If you communicate well with them they will usually tell you the truth maybe 90% of the time.

Bottom line: It's a Gamble buying 'used gear' - period. There will be 'calculated losses' if you're buying used gear. Can't win them all. Just make sure you 'win' on the big-ticket items!!

Also using PayPal is beneficial if sold really bad gear on eBay being stated as being good gear.

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
I've heard about half of my gear before buying. The exceptions are my McIntosh Gear, my Cornwalls, and my Sony SS-G7s. And any gear I bought from a thrift. My criteria for the thrift is it is cheap, cosmetically in nice condition, and has a good reputation. I stopped paying market price after my first three sets of speakers.
 
BilboBaggins said:
I've heard about half of my gear before buying. The exceptions are my McIntosh Gear, my Cornwalls, and my Sony SS-G7s. And any gear I bought from a thrift. My criteria for the thrift is it is cheap, cosmetically in nice condition, and has a good reputation. I stopped paying market price after my first three sets of speakers.
Click to expand...

I would pay a solid used price for certain pieces, but I just don't need to.
 
I very rarely buy new, and so other than checking stuff out before hand to make sure it works, most of my gear was bought pretty blindly. I've bought a few things solely on the recommendation from a fellow AKers, the best probably being a Perrreaux PMF. I was aware of the company, but didn't know anything about them.

It's a gamble, and I have definitely got things that I instantly disliked, but it's also helped me learn a lot about gear and how pieces work together.
 
Actually, it is the buying of used gear that I enjoy so much! The joy of hearing combinations of gear working out, or trying to pair difficult gear together and suddenly getting it. Sometimes, the right combination can be so much better than the individual components.

I have been missing doing that lately.
 
I have bought and sold a lot of gear through US Audiomart, Audiogon, and Bartertown. I have bought gear like

JBL 4365 speakers
AVM Audio AMP Essential
Scheu Audio Das Laufwerk No2 turntables
DYnavector 505 MK II tonearms
Esoeric E-03 phono stage
Transfiguration Proteus cartridge
ZYX 4D cartridge
Ortofon MC2000 and 3000 cartridges

Pieces I have bought previously unheard were

H20 Signature amplifire
Plinus Hartouga pre-amplifier
PS Audio BHK 300 Signature amp and Reference pre amp
Edge pre amp
Audible Illusions 3A pre-amplifier
AES SE811 amplifier
Hawthorne Audio Iris Silver speakers
GR Research pair of monitors-forget the exact model
Townsend Audio Rock III turntable
Quicksilver Reference pre-amp and Silver 90 ampliiers
Brinkmann turntable
Denon DP80 turntable
Technics SP10 MK II
Teres Audio 250 turntable
Eminent Technology II arm
N.E.W. A30 amplifier

There has been more than this over the years. I have found that if I buy carefully on the used sites I can resell for the same cost and have the experienence of the gear and a couple of years of ownership...sometimes more or sometimes less.
 
After retiring from a Mcintosh deaIer in 04 I bought my MX 151, MCD 550, Dynavector 10 X 4, 10 X 5, 20 x and 20 X2 II and Levinson 515b with out being auditioned personnally. But I have known my current dealer since 1980 and his former partner since the early 70's so I trust him thoroughly and know he will take them back if I am not happy. I also bought a MC 207 from him but owned another one for 13 years before trading in my 206 on the second 207. Audio Classics is the best! I also bought my two MC 830's from them with out auditioning. If the amp can drive Magnaplanars better than the amps with autoformers thats the amp for me. I auditioned the XRT 28's in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Portland so when Audio Classics got a pair at a great price I bought them last year. They recently fixed my first MC 207 I bought in Portland Oregon from a Mac dealer. Its great when you can travel the country and shop for the best deals. But that time has passed so Audio Classics is my go to dealer for service and sales even though they are 2300 miles away today. I did get a chance to go to Vestal in March and shop and I had a great time.

If I decide to upgrade my HT system again Audio Classics is where I will shop. I am not a gamer so I don't need 8K. But until I get a larger display I don't need 4K either.
 
Last edited:
@tomlinmgt , your post says it all. When I went to demo my used Audio Research SP8 at an audio store several hours away, I already knew it was what I wanted, I just wanted to check it's operational condition. It sounded fine but I knew all that would change when I got it home on my horns. As a bonus, it even has a fantastic phono pre in it. The sound is just what I expected, 12AX7 tubes are warmer that the 6DJ8 used in my newer Audio Research preamp. Wanted to get away from the 6DJ8 sound, to sterile for my liking.

BillWojo
 
My first "nice" system I heard before purchasing. My current "main" system....Mac, Emerald Physics, Denon, Sony, PS Audio was all bought without hearing first. The Mac was a pretty safe bet so no worries there. Did a lot of reading/research on the Emerald Physics before buying though. Turned out to be a great sounding combo. Very happy with this system and not looking to change anything! Well maybe upgrade my cart on the Denon in the future.
 
When I was younger I didn't think this way, but in general:

Listening is not important if buying from a trusted source, boxing again just means I have to think of small talk.

If I am buying locally, I listen for about 30 seconds cold start for distortion, caps slow to charge. I don't like it when the gear is warm even though they do it for auditioning sake. I don't want to see your CD rack, either.

Remote buying. I don't go anywhere to do any audition first or any such pearl clutching to compare. If its right, then its right and I buy it. Occasionally I copycat something someone has that I have heard, but that is rare. What's the fun going to your buddies house to hear the same **** you have at home?

In all cases, if I don't like it I just sell it on. That's rare. I tend to sell the bottom from the collection once in a while, but I have had numerous pieces grow on me so I have learned not to get rid of stuff too quick.

Auditioning is a waste of time beyond looking for damage, stuff sounds completely different with environmental changes. When I was younger I did stuff like bring my own CDs but all of that is a waste of time now. That patience is thin with guys that need too much attention... it doesn't take 6 songs, either know what you're buying or get to know what you're buying, this is my house not Best Buy.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom