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I’m in one of those positions all of us face, what do I do?

34dean said:
As an audiophile flipper, regularly wondering what the next piece to the puzzle could sound like, here I am.
I have the opportunity to buy a three year-old Luxman C–900u preamplifier for 1/4 its price new.
It is a demo unit in mint condition. A game changer for my system. I currently have a Schiit Freya+ with very nice tube upgrades and it sound great. But…. It’s not this Luxman.
I just bought a pair of new Philharmonic BMR monitors so this purchase is definitely not planned, but more of an opportunity.
What to do???
I’d be stretching “disposable” funds at a tricky time with other purchases happening, so, many reasons to not do this and be “sensible”.

Yet, here I am. Asking for advice.

Thanks all!
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I would be willing to bet that the Luxman is a caliber above Schiit
 
Back when I was considering something similar I had to double the amount of the purchase price because I figured I would have to spend about the same amount on something for my wife.

And speaking of wives, what does she think? If she's cool with it then go for it.
 
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kwayde said:
Back when I was considering something similar I had to double the amount of the purchase price because I would have to spend about the same amount on something for my wife.
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That's a good approach. Keeping the cost of toys away from the little lady is harder for the husband, than for the little lady.

And the consequences of the truth coming out can be merciless.

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Mr Boochie said:
That's a good approach. Keeping the cost of toys away from the little lady is harder for the husband, than for the little lady.

And the consequences of the truth coming out can be merciless.

32d024bf-4abf-4302-a960-41b19ff90836.gif
Click to expand...

Women are full of surprises and one never know what they think until asked.

Once my wife said I should get a new truck. I don't know why she said that as the one I had was fine. We went looking at trucks right after she said that. I wasn't going to let her forget what she said.
 
To find upgrades of that caliber that you can swing is how you get to a level you never had thought to reach, I say go for it. And soon you will be at a level that you can't go any further because the cost level will be beyond what you feel comfortable with, then you have reached a very high apex.
 
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To the OP, it seems you can't really afford it and, as a flipper, you'll be on to something else soon enough. If you're asking for advice, even if it isn't the answer you want, I'd say nope. Living below ones means is far more satisfying IMO. You can see what I own in my profile and I found my sweet spot in very modestly priced gear. Good luck with your decision but if $4k is a financial question for you the easy answer is no.
 
Do it, you have already assessed your financial situation, and you are an admitted audio adventurer so it is going to happen. Maybe this piece, maybe another. Have your fun. Luxman is nice gear, let us know how you like it.
 
34dean said:
As an audiophile flipper, regularly wondering what the next piece to the puzzle could sound like, here I am.
I have the opportunity to buy a three year-old Luxman C–900u preamplifier for 1/4 its price new.
It is a demo unit in mint condition. A game changer for my system. I currently have a Schiit Freya+ with very nice tube upgrades and it sound great. But…. It’s not this Luxman.
I just bought a pair of new Philharmonic BMR monitors so this purchase is definitely not planned, but more of an opportunity.
What to do???
I’d be stretching “disposable” funds at a tricky time with other purchases happening, so, many reasons to not do this and be “sensible”.

Yet, here I am. Asking for advice.

Thanks all!
Click to expand...

I am going to paraphrase a friend of mine.

"Who deserves a Luxman C-900u more than you??"
 
Living in an uncertain world right now, I'd prob stay with present "status quo" and have a certain degree of financial "buffer" should the "brown" hit the proverbial "fan".

Keep in mind that you aren't getting any younger, and the range of listening ability tends to wan... over the years, so the degree of difference may not be appreciated.

Is it really production or is it more so ownership that you value more?

Q
 
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You buy it, try it, and unless it's a lot better, flip it.

The danger is that it might be a lot better! But you never know...
 
Does it give you 4-5k in utility?

Luxman has great build-quality but I’d be pretty pissed if my significant other bought that tbh, especially since it looks so… plain.
 
I haven’t heard it, but I’ve been wowed by Luxman before. And it’s a handsome unit. Have you listened to it in your system? Luxman makes some great equipment. But it’s always about synergy. You might need that matching M-900U amp. Hmmm. You can be sure it’s built well. Just make sure it has all the features you need. At 25% of original MSRP—demo with warranty?—sounds like a bargain. And you could probably sell it at a profit. I’ve seen them listed for a lot more (one listed currently for three times that price).
 
Your Schitt pre-amp has good performance, I wouldn't expect any improvement in sound quality from swapping to the Luxman.

Obviously there's other reasons to own the Luxman but if it's a financial stretch right now then I'd pass on it.
 
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