• Please note that there are a few updates and clarifications made in the Audiokarma Rules, mostly relating to advertising and the addition of the new "Paying it Forward" & "Giving back" forums in the AudioKarma Audio Marketplace section.

Where to draw the line on buying gear?

I'm with Mr. Pig on cosmetics. And like him, I expect function and sound both in fine form for what I put in my home. The choice is not "pretty" vs SQ, as some posts seem to imply. Now if you have a first-rate amp that has glaring cosmetic issues but sounds perfect and can live with that, then that is A-OK for you. It would drive me to distraction.

I prefer to buy new for many reasons, but as SoCal Sam says "[It's] Not for everyone." Wasn't for me for the amp I decided upon, so I went into full cheapskate mode and bought a used one. Saved a ton. Looks new, though.

Oh, and the best place to draw the line on audio spending is in the sand. Carving in stone is not advised. Wind and/or wave will take care of it PDQ along the beach.
 
Last edited:
ConradH said:
Is it cosmetically nice and something I want?
Is it free or close to it? Can I lift it? Go for it.
Is it cheap and I really want it? Go for it if chain of command approves.
All other cases- I don't need it that bad, if at all.

Takes a lot of years to reach this point and there isn't much of anything I really need.
Click to expand...

I figured that someone who launched anvils could pick up a lot:idea:
 
Like a lot of members here I've long since passed the receiver stage to but I'll still bring one home occasionally if I can see a flip in it. A couple years ago when I sold a couple rooms full of gear through craigs every single buyer that came my way asked if I had any silver receivers. The ones I had sold quickly and even the beat up looking ones brought more than I thought they were worth. I was wishing then I had a freight car or 2 full of them.
 
Last edited:
It depends on what you want to do with the item you are buying. There will always be a place in my heart for vintage receivers so I still buy them.....but I have enough of them now for personal use so the mainstream ones I buy, I buy to flip. Many of the ones that are in demand can be used as part units profitably. Something unusual or something in unusually good condition I would consider keeping for myself if the price is right. That being said, I have never been that interested in Monster receivers. I like the middle to upper middle units (35-40 wpc to 60-70 wpc or so) because they are more reasonably priced and are far less likely (IMO) to be trying to be sold in a condition they are not truly in.

Edit. While I love vintage receivers, if I was going to spend the amount that the most popular Monster ones cost now, I would probably not spend it on a receiver. One of the great things about a SX 737 or a KR 4600 or a STA 95 is that they dont cost an arm and a leg, they look great and sound really nice along with still being relevant for today's two channel listening (with an aux port and a y plug you can plug in most any device and get great sound).
 
Last edited:
Not sure if this is relevant or not but I just felt like posting something so here goes.

I found a $20 receiver the other day which was sold as a 'parts unit'. It was an Onkyo TX-SR502 HT receiver in black. I have no need for a HT receiver but given it was in nice physical condition if figured if it was an easy fix I could flip it.

The fix turned out to be one blown output transistor which I could have replaced quite easily. When I looked at all the dismantling I had to do to get to it however, I started having second thoughts. I also noticed that there was no phono input so the receiver would be no interest to the vinyl revivalists either.

I guess what I'm saying is, evaluate the purpose of your purchase carefully, as much as evaluating the item itself. You may find it doesn't fit your needs after all.
 
If the Sansui was a must have on your bucket list then get. To use until a better specimen comes along.
If just one you came across pass. Condition plays a big part for me. Rust and broken parts cabinet all are in the minus column.


Barney
 
When I was 15 in the early 60's I had an old fishing tackle box. about 7 inch wide foot long or so and 5 inches high,I cut a slot in at the top. If I turned on the system a 50 cent coin went in the box and then for every hour I put in a quarter. When my dad listened to the system he just put in a dollar while I was at school/ He was listening more than I was but thats all right. My scheme paid for my MA 230, Mr 67 at first then the C-22 and 240 and MR 71. I had to use some of my work money to afford the Symphony kits. The idea paid for the F-4460 , but the TT came out of my pocket. I gave up after 10years, and just started to put 100.00 a month in the savings account. Today I have a budget for month to month, anything I save over that goes in savings and pays for trips, cameras, RV and Hifi stuff. If I don't meet my budget it comes out of my savings account. There are other accounts for family emergencies and home repairs, etc. Right now I am in the hole but if nothing breaks between now and Wednesday I'll be back in the plus column. Xmas always taxes the saving account. A new Mac tuner, repairs on a Crown Eq2, and a new MDX will do that, too.
 
I don't touch anything unless it was top tier sota at the time. It can be obscure/not well known, but google has to be a very good friend. Hence I have never been disappointed. Age/time is your ally here. I couldn't care less how 'collectable' it is. I find it ridiculous to spend money for just 'that' reason. Great gear is always collectable.
 
Unlike @musichal and @Mister Pig , I will (and do) compromise on looks if it means coming in under the wire pricewise for a good performer. Most of my stuff is in a dedicated basement, and them what are bothered by a few honest war scars and stains are advised to close their eyes and listen. I've got two old Fisher's with brass plate fronts. One is tarnished and scratched, the other is worse. But they sound like, oh...golden angels. I'd love to have one in top notch, prize winning condition, but that will have to wait 'til the day someone wants to trade a perfect specimen for two with cosmetic issues.
 
I don't have to have perfect cosmetics, but the gear I buy should be at least nice. A few nicks and scratches won't keep me from buying a piece that I want if it works well. Broken cooling fins and major dents, bends, or gouges definitely will. I would say save your four bills and wait for something nicer to come along. Just my .02 of course.
 
motorstereo said:
Like a lot of members here I've long since passed the receiver stage to but I'll still bring one home occasionally if I can see a flip in it. A couple years ago when I sold a couple rooms full of gear through craigs every single buyer that came my way asked if I had any silver receivers. The ones I had sold quickly and even the beat up looking ones brought more than I thought they were worth. I was wishing then I had a freight car or 2 full of them.
Click to expand...
70s silver is hot around here.Not so much botl but motl and totl.I look for it only to flip if I could.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom