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Everyone thinks they own a VPI...

telemike said:
I've never seen any hi-fi equipment at Goodwill or SA.
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Perhaps that's because you aren't the only guy looking?

With the economy in the crapper and reality shows about treasure hunters, LOTS of folks have jumped into the fray. Which is why you see less goods and inflated prices as more folks are buying low and selling way high.

I used to find lots of stuff at thrifts, but now not so much. I can't recall the last time I bought a silver faced receiver at one; it's been years...:yes:
 
From what I can see the vinyl revival has already peaked and you missed the boat by years if today your looking for easy bargains in high quality vintage audio equipment. My guess is part of Kikos success is that he knows which side of the tracks to go to for garage sales.
 
I know that at my local Good Will that anything on the electronics shelves worth anything is gone in an hour or less. I try and stop by at least once a day if I can. I've gotten to know a few of the other stereo buffs in my area doing that. Hard to compete with the retired guys.
It's all about timing.
I've picked up 3 high end DD linear tracking turntables from CL for under 500 bucks total.
Yamaha PX-3
Pioneer PL-L1000
Technics SL-M3, got that one today. Playing as I type.
Good Will has treated me with some dandys to. Pioneer PL-41D in excellent shape missing the headshell, 10 bucks, Pioneer Elete DV-79AVi, my reference CD player, 30 bucks and the list goes on.
The trick is that you have to be persistent and look on CL several times a day, stop at the thrifts every chance you can.
Did I tell you about the CL Sota Saphire with the Souther linear arm for 300 bucks? Traded that for a stack of Carver M500T amps in beautiful shape to a friend of mine. Win-Win for both of us.
Bottom line, keep looking. I can go months without a good score.

BillWojo
 
safulop said:
Surely you're joking. That has certainly not been my experience. I had a very nice Thorens TD318 which I recently replaced with an $800 Sota, and the improvement running the same cartridge is just staggering. A night-and-day difference. Rega puts a lot of effort into these tonearms, and they completely blow the old TP-21 out of the water. That old clunker just can't hold a candle, from the resonances to the bearings, it just was no where near right by compare.
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One data point is statistically irrelevant.
 
Dr Tinear said:
Why not just buy a current turntable? With a bit of luck and/or persistence, a savvy buyer can pick up a vintage turntable in the low three figures (or less) that will outplay most current turntables with price tags up to the low four figures. For some buyers, the thrill of the hunt is another reason to shop vintage rather than new.
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Pretty wishful thinking there about your statement on pricepoint or a bias thats pointless to debate, either way good luck with that.
 
I don't want to see another new vs vintage thread, uh beaten horse. My shop sells both and personally I appreciate both.

The prices on vintage will last as long as there is appreciation. For that matter companies that make new follow the same rule. I'm just glad to see the hobby is stronger and stronger as more people appreciate it again.
 
Like someone said if you're willing to put in the hours and check C/L often during the day or thrift stores everyday you will come up with something good.

I got a Yamaha C4, Technics SL-7, Jolida 801 tube amp all were super cheap and easy fixes of C/L in Houston, also about 200 good quality albums, some had never been played for $60.00.
 
I had great luck a few years ago at thrifts and such. Now it is a very different situation out there. I consider what i found in the past to be as good as it will get as far as my treasure hunting goes, anything now is just dumb luck and being in the right place at the right time. I do however still have uncanny luck with finding great vinyl(knock on wood).
 
13x24mancave said:
Pretty wishful thinking there about your statement on pricepoint or a bias thats pointless to debate, either way good luck with that.
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Go listen to some quality vintage turntables. You might be surprised at how good they sound. Northwinds was right in describing most of today's new turntables as "disposable crap." In my experience, you won't find many exceptions to his generalization below a $1000 list price.
 
Dr Tinear said:
Go listen to some quality vintage turntables. You might be surprised at how good they sound. Northwinds was right in describing most of today's new turntables as "disposable crap." In my experience, you won't find many exceptions to his generalization below a $1000 list price.
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What he said was a table in the ballpark of $100-$200 vintage can beat a table in the ballpark of $1200. Assuming that includes arm and cart that seems a stretch. Buy what you want and like what you buy but tables from VPI, SOTA, Music Hall, Rega and other modest new offerings are hardly junk and in my over 25 yrs of experience (and im counting after my high school days when I was still into vinyl with mobile dj hobby and running my high school radio station...but before 20 I was just playing what was in front if me) with vintage tables, direct, belt, idler, linear, S arms, magnets and coils today's offerings trounce yesterdays.....I'm no newbie.
People can feel however they want....this is how I feel.
 
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I like to look for vinyl and CD's at thrifts, and sometimes I even hit the kitchen section looking for that odd really good pan or knife that cost a lot if you buy them new. If I find something I feel very fortunate, and occasionally I do. Once I do, I spend some time setting it up or fixing any problems and then really enjoy the fact that I was able to keep something out of the trash by doing my part of rescuing an upper end audio piece from going to waste. Over the years, I have acquired my fair share, so if I don't find anything I don't worry about it, as everytime I use one of my systems I can be content knowing I am not lacking. That being said everything I own is vintage, and to be honest, I wouldn't mind having an upper end late model or new table. I really don't know what I would buy if I did decide to go for one, but spending into the four figure range wouldn't set me back considering how lucky I have been over the years by getting off with so many inexpensive finds.

Mainly I just like finding a few records, so anything more, is just icing on the cake. It wasn't long ago that I got a few big Altec speakers those alone made my day for a long time to come.
 
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Dr Tinear said:
Go listen to some quality vintage turntables. You might be surprised at how good they sound. Northwinds was right in describing most of today's new turntables as "disposable crap." In my experience, you won't find many exceptions to his generalization below a $1000 list price.
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However, if you buy a three or four year old $1500 turntable for $800, then you will have something that is really good, and less likely to need a complete rebuild.
 
You will likely have as hard a time finding that 3 or four year old table as you will a 30 or 40 year old TOTL deck for cheap.
 
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