Highest-end gear you've found at a thrift
- Thread starter anytune
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Luthierman
Introverted extrovert
Just for the record, a real Stradivarius will say Antoni Stradivari on the label. Never Stradivarius. By far, this is the most widely copied instrument ever. There are only a handful of genuine violins in existence these days and the are very well cataloged.
Now, as for the finds I havent found much of anything other than a RT-707. Lovely player.
Now, as for the finds I havent found much of anything other than a RT-707. Lovely player.
Chap
Electrochap
Few years ago I've got a pair of Altec Malibu and a pair of Tannoy 15" RED monitor for $700 for he 2 pairs...
I've sold the Malibus to a friend for $700 and he still has them and he says it is the best real "HI-FI speakers" he's heard and he did heard a lot! They were quite big though.
Not talking about my wife when she saw the Tannoy's Belvedere cabinets getting in the living room... Asking every week" : ..Have you sold them yet?..."
Also forgot to mention both sets were mint, not a single scratch on the original grill and cabinets... I've been using the Tannoys for 2 to 3 years... Living room reconfiguration... If you understand what I mean...
Another time I've got a Bryston 1B preamp with a 3B amp and a pair of B&W DM7 MK II for $200. I put $100 in the hands of the guy selling them and he said " don't worry, just go and get the money, don't need an accout..." S I've insisted for giving him the first $100. And I didn't know the speakers were included...
I've sold the Malibus to a friend for $700 and he still has them and he says it is the best real "HI-FI speakers" he's heard and he did heard a lot! They were quite big though.
Not talking about my wife when she saw the Tannoy's Belvedere cabinets getting in the living room... Asking every week" : ..Have you sold them yet?..."
Also forgot to mention both sets were mint, not a single scratch on the original grill and cabinets... I've been using the Tannoys for 2 to 3 years... Living room reconfiguration... If you understand what I mean...
Another time I've got a Bryston 1B preamp with a 3B amp and a pair of B&W DM7 MK II for $200. I put $100 in the hands of the guy selling them and he said " don't worry, just go and get the money, don't need an accout..." S I've insisted for giving him the first $100. And I didn't know the speakers were included...
I check out shopgoodwill.com occasionally, and two locations (Indianapolis and Hillsboro, OR) seem to always have very nice vintage gear. I wonder why those two places get that stuff. Is Goodwill funneling the items to those locations for online sale?
It's weird because someone knows that the stuff is worth money, but they don't appear to do much testing. It seems like the items would sell for even higher prices if they just did even a couple minutes of tests.
The Goodwill shops near me seem to only ever have DVD players and VCRs.
It's weird because someone knows that the stuff is worth money, but they don't appear to do much testing. It seems like the items would sell for even higher prices if they just did even a couple minutes of tests.
The Goodwill shops near me seem to only ever have DVD players and VCRs.
All of those deals were incredible bargains. :jawdrop:
bsandovalb
Active Member
I found a Bel Canto S300 amp in its original box for $60.... The guys didn't know what ir was 
markshan
Sir Thrift a Lot
Leak Stereo 20, Leak Troughline, Leak Point One and Elac Miracord 10H for $85. It was a good day.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=429538
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=429538
Speakerbox
Super Member
Pioneer Elite PD 65...mint....$40
BillyBatts
ALOHA!
vtomike
Super Member
This is over about an 8 year span.
johnebravo
I should be practicing
Maybe 10 years ago I got a Luxman R-1070 for about $20-25 -- the glass had a crack, one FM channel was out, and the contacts were severely corroded. But I don't need FM, and after a heavy duty DeOxit treatment, works great . . . I use it every day.
Last year at a garage sale, I found a California Audio Labs Genesis CD player for $5. Works perfectly, in nearly mint condition. I'm sure they had no idea what it was; I was thinking it probably originally retailed for about $1000, but it was turned out it was more like $2000 in 1991.
About 2 months ago, found a Nakamichi BX-150 for $20 -- works perfectly, excellent condition.
Over 20 years ago, found a pair of Altec Madera 892a speakers -- cabinets very rough condition, and I had to replace the horn tweeters, but they were only $15. I also use them practically every day in a second system. But that's going waaay back . . .
Last year at a garage sale, I found a California Audio Labs Genesis CD player for $5. Works perfectly, in nearly mint condition. I'm sure they had no idea what it was; I was thinking it probably originally retailed for about $1000, but it was turned out it was more like $2000 in 1991.
About 2 months ago, found a Nakamichi BX-150 for $20 -- works perfectly, excellent condition.
Over 20 years ago, found a pair of Altec Madera 892a speakers -- cabinets very rough condition, and I had to replace the horn tweeters, but they were only $15. I also use them practically every day in a second system. But that's going waaay back . . .
truetone36
electronics packrat
Revox A77 MKIII for $25.
My Legendary Concept 2QD Turntable
was $25. It came with an Ortofon LM 30 cartridge, but someone had removed the stylus. My aftermarket stylus cost $145, and properly serviced the tt is as good a source as I've heard. I might re-up for a Ortofon stylus 40 eventually.
I don't mind spending a bit more for nice things at the GW. My pristine Mission 774 speakers were $150. My AMC 2100 amp was $100. My Citation Nineteen amp $140. My Sansui 7070 was, $70! I recently found a original box mint Kenwood 6000A integrated for $90, and the accompanying original box KT-7000 tuner for $55. Onkyo Integra P-304 pre was $55. KEF Q60s, $50. Kef C55 $50. B&O Rl 60.2 speaks $50. Carver Receiver 900- $100. Sansui 350A -$25.
Adcom GFs-6, GFS-3 speaker selectors both $10. Marantz 28- $15. Denon DP-45F with Signet Basic Cart-$20.
This is a partial list, of course.
Nice things with no need of servicing, really how do you complain if you pay a bit more?
There is so much of this stuff out there, people buy new and then don't end up using them much. Put ten years plus between purchase and personal downsizing, and a donation to the thriftstore seems perfectly reasonable for a once highly coveted material object.
Enjoy!
was $25. It came with an Ortofon LM 30 cartridge, but someone had removed the stylus. My aftermarket stylus cost $145, and properly serviced the tt is as good a source as I've heard. I might re-up for a Ortofon stylus 40 eventually.
I don't mind spending a bit more for nice things at the GW. My pristine Mission 774 speakers were $150. My AMC 2100 amp was $100. My Citation Nineteen amp $140. My Sansui 7070 was, $70! I recently found a original box mint Kenwood 6000A integrated for $90, and the accompanying original box KT-7000 tuner for $55. Onkyo Integra P-304 pre was $55. KEF Q60s, $50. Kef C55 $50. B&O Rl 60.2 speaks $50. Carver Receiver 900- $100. Sansui 350A -$25.
Adcom GFs-6, GFS-3 speaker selectors both $10. Marantz 28- $15. Denon DP-45F with Signet Basic Cart-$20.
This is a partial list, of course.
Nice things with no need of servicing, really how do you complain if you pay a bit more?
There is so much of this stuff out there, people buy new and then don't end up using them much. Put ten years plus between purchase and personal downsizing, and a donation to the thriftstore seems perfectly reasonable for a once highly coveted material object.
Enjoy!