LOT of older audiophile gear, what should I get? How much to offer? (PICS)

[Figit090]

EDIT: I don't have to buy it all, I can just buy some

A friend of mine has some inherited audiophile gear in storage; he's told me I can make an offer. They just kinda want it gone but don't want to put in the effort to find a buyer (no rush). I know that I'm going to get a few things, but unsure which items and how much to offer. I'm capable of testing this gear so and I did my best to research the best I could. My gear is at the bottom for perspective on what I use already.

First off what DO plan to get:
Magnum Dynalab FT-101 FM tuner - In good shape I think. I am intrigued to try a high-end FM tuner over my NAD preamp's FM circuit. I have some rough ideas on value here since Dynalab still sells refurbs. It has a Dynalab antenna too I think.

Epos ES11 speakers - These have Velcro around the faces for whatever reason that I'd remove, but look to be in good shape. No grilles that I'm aware of. Glowing reviews and condition make these seem worth my time and money.


I'm pretty sure I want these but advice needed:
Sota Star Series III and Sota Sapphire turntables
These two high-end turntables are a whole new ballgame for me (Pioneer PL-L800 is my best table so far), both look in good shape minus some cracks in the dust covers. I know one is a vacuum model and if I have them correctly identified here's details:

Star Series III The vacuum pump IS present and I think it's also the power supply? I think it has at least a base for a tonearm and the top vacuum seal for the platter. I may need to get a tonearm/cart but I'm leaning toward thinking this is worth my time. Am I going to spend north of $500 getting a tonearm & cart if it doesn't have one???


Sapphire has a small power supply, no tonearm or tonearm plate. Not sure it's worth as much of my time but I'd add it on if I can get more for less and sell it if necessary.



I'm not sure I want to bother with:
Snell Acoustics Type A Series III - While well reviewed, these speakers have seen better days. Complete, but cat damaged. Veneer has cat scratching on the front, needs a refinish/oiling at the very least, grille clothes need redone, upper section (tweeter) is very dusty and I imagine some/all of the drivers need re-foamed. I don't know if the crossovers might need work. They're also huge so I don't technically have space unless they're really a must-get or cheap (what would be cheap?). I might take them if my offer on the other gear prompts a good deal, but it's a stretch for me.



Creek Audio CAS 3040 Tuner - I don't think this is as highly regarded as the Magnum Dynalab, not really interested.


I'd like to offer a fair price for whatever we deem is a good overall choice for me, but I don't want to break my bank buying things that aren't worth my time. I feel that a lot of this is worth it, though.


For perspective, currently my relevant main gear is:
Polk SRS SDA speakers (hence no room for Snells, they'd have to be a garage project)
KEF q100 bookshelves (hoping the Epos are a new equal/better experience)
Pioneer PL-L800 linear turntable (maybe a level or two below a Sota?)
NAD 1600 preamp for the FM
Yamaha MX-1 amp.

Thanks for any advice you can give, on anything!

 

[ivandezande]

There's a lot of cool stuff there. Do you have the time to put in some work on the items?
I would offer a few grand for it all. Keep what you like and profit on what you don't.

It's hard to say an exact price as none of these items have a lot of price history and condition varies, and then of course you're buying it in a lot.

 

[KingBubba]

Please use the "upload a file" button next to reply when using pics. Going back and forth to Imgur is a bit of a pita. I really know nothing about the items you showed; so all I can do is wish you luck.

 

[Figit090]

There's a lot of cool stuff there. Do you have the time to put in some work on the items?
I would offer a few grand for it all. Keep what you like and profit on what you don't.

It's hard to say an exact price as none of these items have a lot of price history and condition varies, and then of course you're buying it in a lot.

Thanks, I don't have a lot of time, but I could hold onto the smaller things like turntables as projects. I can also leave some things out, I think.

Please use the "upload a file" button next to reply when using pics. Going back and forth to Imgur is a bit of a pita. I really know nothing about the items you showed; so all I can do is wish you luck.

I did that but it limited the number of images, I've now uploaded them here too as attachments. Sorry, it seems every message board likes it differently.

 

[ivandezande]

Thanks, I don't have a lot of time, but I could hold onto the smaller things like turntables as projects. I can also leave some things out, I think.

I gotcha. I'm kinda just saying that from a perspective where this opportunity doesn't happen often, and especially not with this quality of gear! I would take advantage.
I know the Snells are huge, but they are easily on par with your Polks. You might like them more.

 

[KingBubba]

Those must be some big files. I understand your issue for putting them in Imgur in the first place. They must take up a large bit of your hard drive. Thanks for the reply. Good luck.

 

[Figit090]

Those must be some big files. I understand your issue for putting them in Imgur in the first place. They must take up a large bit of your hard drive. Thanks for the reply. Good luck.

No they're ery small actually, it limited me to a quantity, not size; said "limited to 10 images" and stopped the rest. Perhaps multiple tries would let me do more, I thought it was a forum limit.

I gotcha. I'm kinda just saying that from a perspective where this opportunity doesn't happen often, and especially not with this quality of gear! I would take advantage.
I know the Snells are huge, but they are easily on par with your Polks. You might like them more.

Thank you! If I can clean my storage up a bit, the Snells may be worth a refinish and refurb too. Thankfully I'm in no rush here and neither are they, so this somewhat rare opportunity can be postponed until I make space/time.

 

[ivandezande]

Thank you! If I can clean my storage up a bit, the Snells may be worth a refinish and refurb too. Thankfully I'm in no rush here and neither are they, so this somewhat rare opportunity can be postponed until I make space/time.

Cool! Good luck, hope it all works out.

 

[Tiver]

You want to sell what you don't want? Or just pick what you want to keep and leave the rest to them? Pick what you want and they probably will have you take the rest because, as you stated, they don't want to deal with it.

To each their own. Tuners are very specific to collectors, IMO. The Snells would be fun if you could actually locate them and experience them for a while. The Sota TTs don't take up near the room and could be well worth having.

I wouldn't look at anything other than flipper value for the pieces I was quite interested in, as is, especially if I was thinking of keeping anything. If I didn't want to keep something, I would pass on all of it. Nothing wrong with buying and selling, but some of us just don't care to. Anything beyond stuff I really want would just be part of the take (if they just wanted it gone). But that's me.

Maybe 5 or 6 hundred for the TTs and the speakers. The rest would just be a PITA to me unless there was real money to make.....but you said you wanted to be fair.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Am I going to spend north of $500 getting a tonearm & cart if it doesn't have one???

Yes, at least if you go with similar quality.

This pile o' gear is a host of projects just waiting to happen with nice payoffs as each is completed. Sota parts should be available, armboards and such so those could be put in service without too much trouble other than the additional expense of the arm/cartridge. Go the non-vacuum first and have something to use and enjoy then when you get the vacuum one going you will know if it is an upgrade.

The speakers, worth the work as it appears to be mostly cosmetic stuff. Easy enough to do. The Epos and tuners should be plug and play, verify the tweeters on all speakers work.

Buy it all for a nice price and sell off a couple chunks and do the projects and sell off more stuff...some of what you already have and make this a nice system upgrade opportunity.

 

[bigcaddy64]

I"m not trying get into your deal but where are you located? Being near a big city would help you move along those extra items without risking shipping damage/returns.

I think you would make a better deal if you took it all. That way they get to close out the storage unit (no more bills) and puts more cash into their pocket.

 

[gogofast]

I would get all and considering your space issue, pass on the speakers. If they were completely different type of speakers like horn or electrostatic, I'd consider auditioning them but you already have the polks.
If all of 'em work properly, you're looking at roughly $3000-$3500 online sale price figure. Considering it being a local sale, probably 60-70% of that? Offer what you think is reasonable.

I wonder where the tonearms are...maybe it's hiding somewhere in the same building?

 

[markshan]

Epos ES11 speakers - These have Velcro around the faces for whatever reason that I'd remove, but look to be in good shape. No grilles that I'm aware of. Glowing reviews and condition make these seem worth my time and money.
View attachment 2133349

Is that a photo of the actual units? I don't see any Velcro.

 

[BamaBilly]

Those tables are a no brainer! The Sota is an end game table for me. Jealous!

 

[Oerets]

My best guess and advise would be buy the lot. Have your friend start the ball rolling to see just where they are at in pricing. The reasoning being they want it gone, all of it. They are a friend who offered it up to you first. This is a major point.
I'd move quickly since it is now out for all to know about and others may get involved leaving you out of the picture.

 

[reddodge053]

If you wait too long someone else will snag it,then you will be posting in the *I missed it by this much* thread.

 

[Figit090]

Cool! Good luck, hope it all works out.

Thanks, me too!

You want to sell what you don't want? Or just pick what you want to keep and leave the rest to them? Pick what you want and they probably will have you take the rest because, as you stated, they don't want to deal with it.
To each their own. Tuners are very specific to collectors, IMO. The Snells would be fun if you could actually locate them and experience them for a while. The Sota TTs don't take up near the room and could be well worth having
I wouldn't look at anything other than flipper value for the pieces I was quite interested in, as is, especially if I was thinking of keeping anything. If I didn't want to keep something, I would pass on all of it. Nothing wrong with buying and selling, but some of us just don't care to. Anything beyond stuff I really want would just be part of the take (if they just wanted it gone). But that's me.
Maybe 5 or 6 hundred for the TTs and the speakers. The rest would just be a PITA to me unless there was real money to make.....but you said you wanted to be fair.

I am up for selling higher value things, since that is more worth my time. The large speakers are generally difficult in all respects and I don't expect to be ready to sell those for some time.

I'll read more on tuners, perhaps I don't want to dump $100 or more on FM radio. I do listen to it a good amount though. Thanks for your input! I also don't want to spend time flipping, I have a day job and plenty of stuff I need to sell already in the garage (I'm going to move it before I pick these up or I just won't let myself)

Yes, at least of you go with similar quality.

This pile o' gear is a host of projects just waiting to happen with nice payoffs as each is completed. Sota parts should be available, armboards and such so those could be put in service without too much trouble other than the additional expense of the arm/cartridge. Go the non-vacuum first and have something to use and enjoy then when you get the vacuum one going you will know if it is an upgrade.

The speakers, worth the work as it appears to be mostly cosmetic stuff. Easy enough to do. The Epos and tuners should be plug and play, verify the tweeters on all speakers work.

Buy it all for a nice price and sell off a couple chunks and do the projects and sell off more stuff...some of what you already have and make this a nice system upgrade opportunity.

Good to know, well I'll factor that in for my purchase and hope it's a good talking point. It's one thing to offload a ready-to-go turntable but a special very complex one without all the parts doesn't sound as easy to sell (around here).
Thanks for your input, I have the Polks, and a set of electrostats waiting for refurb work so with the Snells I'd have enough speakers for...a long time. Thanks for the tips on project payoffs, I'll look at resale/ease of sale and see what happens, might be that I keep speakers and sell the tuner or something, recoup some funds. Stimulus check will make this purchase a lot easier if I do it.

I"m not trying get into your deal but where are you located? Being near a big city would help you move along those extra items without risking shipping damage/returns.

I think you would make a better deal if you took it all. That way they get to close out the storage unit (no more bills) and puts more cash into their pocket.

Sadly I'm in an area that is not only limited in audio stores but far from larger populations. I think with a few months I could find a buyer but with covid everything is slightly more tricky. At least the asking price rules out weirdos (tried selling something last week and had to deactivate my FB marketplace postings it got so weird).

I would get all and considering your space issue, pass on the speakers. If they were completely different type of speakers like horn or electrostatic, I'd consider auditioning them but you already have the polks.
If all of 'em work properly, you're looking at roughly $3000-$3500 online sale price figure. Considering it being a local sale, probably 60-70% of that? Offer what you think is reasonable.

I wonder where the tonearms are...maybe it's hiding somewhere in the same building?

The owner isn't super knowledgable on the components and didn't see the antenna I noticed, it's totally possible there's a tonearm somewhere but given half the system (amp, reciever/preamp) is missing, I think it may be lost. BUT the vacuum turntable may be complete, and the other an extra.

It's funny you mention electrostatic, I have Acoustat Model 3's in my garage waiting for time to refurbish. Hence the "no room for speakers" issue. They're out of the way but I don't want to stack projects too far.

Is that a photo of the actual units? I don't see any Velcro.

Yeah, it's the hard plastic type and cut to exactly fit the trim on the speaker. it's texture even mimics the woodgrain in the photo, lol. I figure a hairdryer and goo-gone will make quick work of it. I hope. I'm guessing it was for homemade grille cloth, I think OEM covers were solid plastic covers and not grilles. They were designed to be played without covers I think.

Those tables are a no brainer! The Sota is an end game table for me. Jealous!

Great to know, thank you! High end turntables are a whole level of "I can't afford it" that I've not bothered to learn about because...I can't afford it. Well, that may change. Hopefully I can tell the difference?

My best guess and advise would be buy the lot. Have your friend start the ball rolling to see just where they are at in pricing. The reasoning being they want it gone, all of it. They are a friend who offered it up to you first. This is a major point.
I'd move quickly since it is now out for all to know about and others may get involved leaving you out of the picture.

Yeah, I think I'll toss an offer at him. Thanks for your input. He said not to worry about timing because it's not going anywhere and nobody knows about it, so thankfully I'm not really in a hurry, but you never know. I will expedite cleaning so I can *maybe* reward myself with a fun project.

If you wait too long someone else will snag it,then you will be posting in the *I missed it by this much* thread.

Quite possibly, thankfully it's a "no rush, it's in storage with other stuff" situation. Literally found it because I put feelers out and was surprised with results. Speaking of remorse threads; once I missed a top-end 60's pioneer receiver, tape deck and speakers this way. The posting was so cheap I thought "oh it's just another iffy old pioneer." To be sure I googled, realized it was their TOP LINE model, but someone had messaged a few minutes before me. Adding insult to injury, I knew the seller. We agreed to not screw over the buyer though, and he got it for a song. (I could have multiplied the price by 6 and still got a good deal, he REALLY did... He sold the tape deck on ebay and made his money back! Never again; It did make me less attached to "things" though. It's all just stuff, if I don't get it; it's just stuff!

 

[markshan]

Yeah, it's the hard plastic type and cut to exactly fit the trim on the speaker. it's texture even mimics the woodgrain in the photo, lol. I figure a hairdryer and goo-gone will make quick work of it. I hope.

I would try without heat first, only for fear of being too aggressive and taking the laminate with it.

 

[Tiver]

Just a comment about the seller saying they aren't in a hurry or things aren't going anywhere.....they probably failed to mention how easily they could change that tune. If you have the desire and some coin, I suggest you strike while the discussion is fresh.

 

[kirk57]

I'd want one of those SOTAs the most.

They were commonly paired with Sumiko MMT tonearms when they were new.
Modern equivalent is now sold by Jelco (who actually made the MMT)