EBay preamp bidding advice.

phoneisbusy

Hi,

Just wanted to ask if some eBay pro's could offer some comments (constructive hopefully) about bidding for a preamp.

I've been following numerous auctions for preamps. I know you can go crazy and find some in the 500 or more range but in general, it seems most of them go in the $150-200 usd price range.

Does that seem to be about right?

There's one auction going on that looks interesting. The only issues I can possibly see is the age of the preamp and the seller's relatively new status on eBay. Should this affect the amount I should try and bid for it?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3048861187&category=14974&rd=1

Any other issues to keep in mind?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Ceruleance

preamps can go anywhere in terms of price. You're taking a chance with low feedback people, but the better deals are from low feedback people because they either dont know what they are doing, or other people are afraid they might get screwed. Do you live in canada? I wouldnt advise bidding internationally for your first time, too complicated with shipping. Also, a 20 year old phillips pre amp isnt really high end IMHO, i'd look for something else.

phoneisbusy

Yes, I live in Canada. I have friends in Seattle who visit regularly. I can always have it shipped to them and have them bring it up. I've been checking out Canadian auctions to avoid the brokerage fees some services want to automatically tack on.

I'm having difficulty trying to gauge the value of separates. Carver C1 preamps appear to go for $150 so I have no idea how age affects the resale for equipment.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably check back in a few days, otherwise, I guess I'll just have to be patient.

Dave

Tour2ma

pib,

Bad picture... download and use photoshop or other software to clean it up so you can see detail. I've found scratches, etc. in some listings doing this and saved myself some heartache...

As for new Sellers... ask questions (original owner? where's find it? etc.). Asking is important in any case, but vital in new sellers. One plus I see here is that in an earlier sale he stated an item was not working. Also noted the "hairline mark" here, so some signs of honesty.

As for the pre's on ebay... You're right, there are tons of them out there all the time. Decide on a couple models to narrow your searches, get a feel for their going rate and be patient.

Canada shipping form US is no biggie via USPS, but again ask US sellers if they know the ropes. I hear UPS is not the best choice as will upcharge for customs fees.

Don't know the Phillips. Huge name in Europe, not so big here.

Ceruleance

The Carver C1 is a nice preamp, a good value in my opinion and reliable. Don't take my word for it though, I'm biased, I own two of them.

TroyD

If you aren't really interested in Sonic Holography, I'd consider the Carver C-2. Same linestage as the C-1. The C-1, reportedly, has a little quieter phono stage....

I'd also look at Hafler preamps, good sounding and can be found often for under a C-note.

BDT

tryrrthg

Originally posted by TroyD
I'd also look at Hafler preamps, good sounding and can be found often for under a C-note.

BDT

speak of the devil...

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?preatran&1069609460

phoneisbusy

Originally posted by tryrrthg
speak of the devil...

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?preatran&1069609460

Thanks guys.
*sigh*
Every have one of those days where you get a phone call from the wife?

"The hot water tank is making a funny noise and there's water all over the basement!"

Well $500 cdn later, we have a new water heater and a corresponding dip in my separates fund. I hate it when the
"life sucks" fund is tied to the "playtime" fund!

Well, it could be worse, we might not have had the money so I should count my blessings.

Thanks for the Hafler preamps suggestion. Another keyword to plug in to the search although it might have to wait a few paychecks.

regards

Dave

tryrrthg

Originally posted by phoneisbusy
Well $500 cdn later, we have a new water heater and a corresponding dip in my separates fund. I hate it when the
"life sucks" fund is tied to the "playtime" fund!

sorry to hear that!

I know that feeling like you have NO idea! I had one Sh!tty year this year! it went something like this:

Car accident that wasn't my fault but the other guy lied about it= $500 deductible.

Two months after that, large hail storm causes over $4000 damage to my car = another $500 deductible

New Front brakes on my car = $200 or so

also put $1300+ into my wife's car hoping that it would last another year. well 2 months later it needed $800 worth of brake and roter work (which decided not to do). we just sold it becasue we got tired of putting money into the piece of ****!

so you can imagine the kind of gear I could have with those amounts of bills. in fact, with that kind of cash I could have my amp, a PB2+, and probably not want to upgrade for quite some time! I LOVE it when life takes a dump on me! :mad:

oh well, some day...

good luck with your quest!