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Help!! Old stereo equipment value/appraisal

H

Holly Degraw

New Member
Hi Everyone!
Please bear with me as I have no audio experience at all. My uncle died recently and left me a ton of old electronics. I am looking for help in trying to figure out what these pieces are worth. If anyone has any idea I would greatly appreciate any insight you can give me!
I have the following pieces (of which I think they all work):

Speakers: Altec model nineteen
Heathkit Power Amplifier: AA-1640
Pioneer Reel to Reel: AT-707
Proton 440 stereo tuner
Marantz Control Council: model 3300
Dbc recording technology series: model 222

I would add pictures but to be honest I can’t figure out how :(
 
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Everything will depend on condition my estimate is if working properly is. I changed some of the numbers the Pioneer reel to reel is a RT-707 the Dbc model 222 is a DBX-222

Speakers: Altec model nineteen-2k 2.5k
Heathkit Power Amplifier: AA-1640-$500.00
Pioneer Reel to Reel: RT-707- $500.00-1k
Proton 440 stereo tuner- $75.00
Marantz Control Console model 3300 -$500.00
DBX recording technology series model 222-$75.00
 
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I think Snow nailed it for working equipment, I've come across vast hoards of equipment, sometimes it's dead, dead, dead. Or boomboxes that look great bit have missing screws on the back cover (that's not a good sign). Find someone you trust to look over the stuff, you may have some gems and they may be the smallest pieces and easiest to steal. I've been to estate sales with over-priced machining equipment but the very nice high precision micrometers and other measuring equipment were going for a few bucks.
 
With some of that stuff don't assume that just because it's dead that means it doesn't have value. It will have less value, but a couple of those pieces have pretty nice value even as parts units.
 
Welcome to the AK Crew.

Left a message for you about the selling of gear on AK. Upper right corner with "Inbox" will take you to this share I sent you as to protocol and selling of equipment on AK.


As well, have you considered getting into the "Audio Game" and carry on this family legacy? With your "handed down gear", you'd already be set up. The learning can come in time.


Q
 
Bone Yard said:
I think Snow nailed it for working equipment, I've come across vast hoards of equipment, sometimes it's dead, dead, dead. Or boomboxes that look great bit have missing screws on the back cover (that's not a good sign). Find someone you trust to look over the stuff, you may have some gems and they may be the smallest pieces and easiest to steal. I've been to estate sales with over-priced machining equipment but the very nice high precision micrometers and other measuring equipment were going for a few bucks.
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>>missing screws on the back cover

Ah, don't you just love that? Almost always a terrible, terrible sign.

I'd value the Model 19s a little higher, but realise that can be an entirely regional thing. I do know that if a pair came up for sale where I live tomorrow at $2.5k, I'd go buy them.
 
That’s a pretty sweet setup and it seems your uncle wanted you to have it. Unless you really need the money I think you should keep it at least for a while. Perhaps sell the reel to reel and use the money to get the electronics serviced.
 
yeah, a quick search confirmed my initial impressions, the Altec Speakers, Heathkit power amp and the Marantz preamp are all quality pieces that are desirable
all are heavy and will require solid packing (double-boxed with double bubble-wrap) if they will be shipped.

if it was my uncle they would be keepers, but they might not be a good fit for you (those speakers are likely quite large)
 
beekeo said:
yeah, a quick search confirmed my initial impressions, the Altec Speakers, Heathkit power amp and the Marantz preamp are all quality pieces that are desirable
all are heavy and will require solid packing (double-boxed with double bubble-wrap) if they will be shipped.

if it was my uncle they would be keepers, but they might not be a good fit for you (those speakers are likely quite large)
Click to expand...

The thing about the quality pieces is that they’re only appreciating in value; collectibles are pacing way ahead of inflation atm. OP might want to consider using them for a couple months to see if it’s something he might wanna keep — it’s the kind of stereo most folks just can’t afford to go out and buy, so difficult to get another one. Worst thing that could happen is they go up in price before you sell ‘em, OP.
 
titanstats said:
The thing about the quality pieces is that they’re only appreciating in value; collectibles are pacing way ahead of inflation atm. OP might want to consider using them for a couple months to see if it’s something he might wanna keep — it’s the kind of stereo most folks just can’t afford to go out and buy, so difficult to get another one. Worst thing that could happen is they go up in price before you sell ‘em, OP.
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I agree. I would love to fall into something like that. I’d perhaps sell the altecs and buy smaller speakers (but who knows since I’ve never heard them) but I’d at least have to play with the rest for a while.
 
ScottFan355 said:
I agree. I would love to fall into something like that. I’d perhaps sell the altecs and buy smaller speakers (but who knows since I’ve never heard them) but I’d at least have to play with the rest for a while.
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>>since I’ve never heard them

I bet ya $10 bucks if you did they wouldn't leave your house. :biggrin: Beautiful speakers, rare as hen's teeth in my quarter -- last pair I saw the fellow was asking $5k, dunno if they sold or not.
 
titanstats said:
>>since I’ve never heard them

I bet ya $10 bucks if you did they wouldn't leave your house. :biggrin: Beautiful speakers, rare as hen's teeth in my quarter -- last pair I saw the fellow was asking $5k, dunno if they sold or not.
Click to expand...
Hard to say. My Hales Concept Twos are the sweetest speakers I’ve ever owned. Could others displace them? Possibly, but I’m not sure how!
 
beekeo said:
yeah, a quick search confirmed my initial impressions, the Altec Speakers, Heathkit power amp and the Marantz preamp are all quality pieces that are desirable
all are heavy and will require solid packing (double-boxed with double bubble-wrap) if they will be shipped.
Click to expand...
Bubble wrapping heavy items is a waste of time because the bubbles only need to burst one time and you have no protection, using either medium density foam or R-Tech foam sheets is a much better way of course it also costs more. There are reasons why you don't see manufacturers using bubble wrap to ship your new amp or TT ETC Double boxing unless being used as a means of space between the item being shipped is a waste of money if a decent quality double corrugated box is being used that is rated for more then the weight inside, simply adding another layer of cardboard by double boxing provides little in the way of protection and if not packed tightly together can cause damage in shipping.

I had a fellow send me an amp that was triple boxed the outer third box had at least 4 inches of space all around the second box and the amp was bubble wrapped in the first box needless to say it was damaged upon arrival the bubbles had burst due to the constant shifting of the two inner boxes moving around in the third outer box.
 
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