The pleasure of buying used

zx_toth
zx_toth Posts: 417
edited January 2012 in Speakers
I must say that I am enjoying buying used! Aside from my LsiC in my current set up all of my other speakers in all of my rigs are used ... I didnt realize that until I thought of it:eek:

My first used pair that I bought was my Lsi25s (for $1000+ shipping) 5 years ago which I got from a guy in Chicago off of Avsforum. I remember being so nervous that he wasnt going to send them as I just sent him a money order and after I sent it I thought ..."Oh my god" he could just choose not to send them and I wouldnt be able to do anything as Avsforum doesnt have any type of arbitration or oversight of transactions really or at least at the time they didnt. Later into the deal I found out he was a Polk member so I felt more at ease.

Next two pair were a Polk Fxia3 and Polk Rtia3 off of Canuck Audio Mart in my home province only about 7 months ago. They were only taken out of the box by the guy only to realize they were too big for his room and sold them to me for a steal of a price!

Then I most recently bought a pair of mint Paradigm Studio 20's for 700$, over half off of the MRSP. I can only get tax off at my local hifi so I would have been paying $1599 CAD for this pair otherwise.

Now I am in the middle of a deal for a pair of Paradigm Studio ADP 590s which retails for $1758/pair and I am paying $750! for a mint latest version pair.

It floored me when I realized that Ive almost exclusively bought used except for my first Polk RM 5.1 setup and later the LSiC I mentioned. I cant help but feel excitement when I feel like I got a really good deal for a near mint pair of speakers.

Anyone else also have some used speaker purchase stories or a preference for buying used??

zx_toth
My Home Theater Rig
Post edited by zx_toth on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • jimsvm
    jimsvm Posts: 307
    edited December 2011
    Hay Islander, jim in garson here, nice to see a fellow polky so close. Hope you have a good New year to you and yours.
    Rec rm vm30 micro pro 3000 akai 2 channel. ht anthem MTX 5 channel anthem P2 statement anthem 325, 8 channel Martin Logan power amp for 4 ceiling ls900 2 and outdoor polks, 2 JL 110’s subs panasonic 65" plasma lsim 705’s , 706c, L200 and Control 4 garage rig monitor 10s crossovers by VR3, dynamat, RDO-194's, new drivers. psw 111 Pioneer 9040 BDP53fd 100 " screen Nakamichi HD projector, and Panasonic 65” plasma.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,014
    edited December 2011
    I buy all my gear used or as demo's. Saved thousands. Audio gear is like buying a new car, soon as you roll off the lot the value just went down.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2011
    Hell yea man. My whole 2-channel rig was bought used, with the exception of the rack, some of the cables, and the acoustic panels. All in all, I've spent 1/3rd of the MSRP. I just just added it all up... kinda scary!:eek:

    My newest acquisitions are the ARC CD-1 and Krell KAV-250a. The CD-1 retailed for 3k; I paid 800. The Krell amp also retailed for 3k; I paid about 600.

    I've never bought a pair of new speakers in my life. Maybe it's about time...
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SDA1C
    SDA1C Posts: 2,072
    edited December 2011
    Roughly 15k in gear (msrp) cost me 6k up grades included. To be honest...I can't afford new at the level I want to play but the way I look at it is if someone else got to enjoy the gear also more the better.


    Women...not so much.:loneranger:
    Too much **** to list....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,014
    edited December 2011
    SDA1C wrote: »

    Women...not so much.:loneranger:

    You mean the market for used women has gone down hill ? Daaamn....
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited December 2011
    The only new part of my rig audio related was when I treated myself to the JL woofer... I figured the cost between new and used wasn't that huge after shipping and everything associated with the "used" market. When I look at the MSRP vs. Used it's quite amazing really.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SDA1C
    SDA1C Posts: 2,072
    edited December 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    You mean the market for used women has gone down hill ? Daaamn....

    I meant I don't look for deals on used women but you do raise an interesting point LOL
    Too much **** to list....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited December 2011
    Buying used you save tons. It's damn cool 2 but there is nothing better then opening up new gear.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited December 2011
    mantis wrote: »
    ...but there is nothing better then opening up new gear.

    +1,000. Warranties ain't to shabby, either... especially on something like a TV or receiver. Speakers are simpler.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 72RR
    72RR Posts: 159
    edited December 2011
    I always shop used first.
    Having said that, these days (in the area in which I live), I usually end up buying new unless I run across a good deal on the internet though.
    When I lived up north I would never have to spend over 1/2 price on used items and get pro level equipment. Down here it seems as if everybody wants at least 75-80% of new on used consumer stuff. Giving up on warranties & having the latest/greatest at those prices is really not worth it in my eyes.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SDA1C
    SDA1C Posts: 2,072
    edited December 2011
    I agree warranty is nice but how often do you really use it? It's like the extended warranty to get another 25 bucks out of you for a 75 dollar mp3. If I can buy something for 1/3 of it's msrp and something goes wrong I get another and I'm still 1/3 in the good. I do however go for the minty stuff. If it looks like hell it was probably treated like it.
    Too much **** to list....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BeefJerky
    BeefJerky Posts: 1,320
    edited December 2011
    I tend to buy used or refurbished, and have generally had good luck doing so. Now that you got me thinking, let me go through and list what is new vs used/refurbished in my current audio and video setups.

    Refurbished
    Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH receiver
    Kenwood DNX8120 head unit (in car)

    Used
    1 pair LSi9's
    2 pair LSi7's
    1 pair LSiFX
    3 Marantz MA500 amps
    Technics SL-1200MK2 turntable
    Cambridge Azur 640p preamp
    1 pair 36" speaker stands
    SR5250 component speakers (in car)

    New
    ----
    LSiC (due to killer deal from doro)
    Samsung 52" LCD TV (due to a nice sale/price matching deal at Fry's)
    LG BD390 Blu-ray player (on clearance)
    Denon DL110 phono cartridge (retail price, but they were in short demand at the time)
    Kenwood XR-5s 5ch amp (in car, good deal from a local dealer)

    Based on some quick calculations, here are my savings from buying refurbished and used rather than paying retail. I guess I'll even compare the overall savings of the new purchases versus retail.
    Used - 66% savings, or a total of $4052 in savings
    Refurbished - 50% savings, or a total of $1100 in savings
    New - 33% savings, or a total of $935 in savings

    Not a bad savings on the new stuff, but it certainly doesn't compare to the savings from buying used or refurbished.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited December 2011
    From my stack of stuff, everything but my cartridge, Bluray, Maggie MMG'sand tv are used.

    Sunfire Sig 425/5... new 4k, used 700.00
    Sunfire Tube pre/phomo new 3500, used 850.00, including a rebuild by Bob Carver
    Pioneer PD-DJ9 SACD new 1000, used 450.00 bought right here on the forum
    Magnepan MG-20R's new 9800, used 1500.00 shipped and restored.
    Polk Audio RM-7500 set new 1800, used 200.00
    Yamaha PX-3 turntable new 1200, used 300.00 (new in box and never used)
    Pioneer SC-37 new 2200, demo 1000.00



    Total retail........ 22300.00(tax not included)
    Total used......... 5000.00
    money saved.....17300.00(plus tax)

    My hobby has become self supporting, in that my total out of pocket is less that 2 grand. I buy gear that I know is well under-valued, and flip things from time to time when I feel like changing things up.

    Used, bought well and cared for properly, is by far the smartest way to enjoy this hobby.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited January 2012
    I have to agree.The vintage mid level bug has bitten.All of my 2-chl gear except for ICs are used and some I gather like the amp are close to 30years old.It does seem that most people really respect their investment and all the care in the world is afforded
    to their tunes.I was very lucky on my speakers w/ a c/l purchase of Infinity SM112s,garage sale for the pre and the amp was bought sight and sound unseen from audio classics for $300 w/ shipping included......
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited January 2012
    Pretty much all the gear I have is used. I especially love the B&K amps, 11 years old or not. Cheers. :cool:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2012
    The other nice thing about buying used is that you can generally sell at a price fairly close to where you buy, so if you're trying out and swapping through gear, you don't take a beating each time you rotate a new piece in/out.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2012
    tonyb wrote: »
    You mean the market for used women has gone down hill ? Daaamn....

    Yeah, once you drive 'em off the lot.....
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,225
    edited January 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    Yeah, once you drive 'em off the lot.....

    Be careful, this thread could degrade quickly. :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2012
    My entire HT and 2 channel are all purchased used. I prefer it that way - money is the reason. I ONLY purchased my first polk HT new - Monitor 50's, 30's, CS1. From there, I jumped down the rabbit hole.
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    Hell yea man. My whole 2-channel rig was bought used, with the exception of the rack, some of the cables, and the acoustic panels. All in all, I've spent 1/3rd of the MSRP. I just just added it all up... kinda scary!:eek:

    My newest acquisitions are the ARC CD-1 and Krell KAV-250a. The CD-1 retailed for 3k; I paid 800. The Krell amp also retailed for 3k; I paid about 600.

    I've never bought a pair of new speakers in my life. Maybe it's about time...

    Dude! You got the Krell for $600?!?!? You stole that thing!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2012
    If you're of average means (95% of us) and you get hooked into chasing the audio dragon, used is the best way to afford the journey. Like others I've done a lot of flipping of gear from garage sales, thrift stores, and Craigslist to build up the cash to buy gear at the end of their review cycle.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    Dude! You got the Krell for $600?!?!? You stole that thing!

    Well I'm not sure what I paid for it yet. I got the KAV-250a and KAV-250p as a package for 1500, so whatever I can sell the preamp for will determine how well I did on the power amp. I'm thinking I'll get between 800 and 1000 for the pre, which will put the power amp between 500 and 700; hence the 600 number. Like I said in the other thread, I wasn't looking for a power amp, but when you stumble on a good deal on a piece of gear you've been wanting to try, you jump on it.:smile:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2012
    You got an amazing deal. These are in good condition? How'd you get them so cheap? I know my KAV-2250 amp generally sells in the $1800-$2000 range.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    You got an amazing deal. These are in good condition? How'd you get them so cheap? I know my KAV-2250 amp generally sells in the $1800-$2000 range.

    Yea it was a good deal. :biggrin: They're in excellent shape.

    The 250a usually sells for 1200-1500, and the 250p usually sells for 900-1200. Here's my ad:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170756499672#ht_989wt_1139

    I found them on my local craigslist. They were donated to the lady who sold them to me, and she was selling them to use the proceeds to benefit the zoo... specifically the Clouded Leopard, which is an endangered species. Who knew? Turns out she's an old school audiophile, so now I'm helping her figure out a PC-based implementation. :smile:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited January 2012
    Good man!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited January 2012
    I've purchased almost 100% used for about 25 years and think it's a great way to go.

    You can buy highly acclaimed gear and upgrade it with state of the art electronics for a fraction of the initial cost.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited January 2012
    My whole setup has been replaced in the past year. Unreal the savings from buying some things used. However some things were still bought new, like my A9's. And even those were for less than they go on sale for ever. :twisted:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited January 2012
    :cheesygrin:The main thing I am taking away from this thread is that we are all a bunch of cheap ****.:wink:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    edited January 2012
    Bought my first pair of speakers new in March...M70's. Didn't realize the benefit of buying used at the time, but that's ok...they introduced me to the wonderful world of home audio. Been slowly adding since.

    Most recently off C/L a package including...2-M50's, CS1, Velodyne VRP-1000, HK AVR 240 including all Monster speaker wire and sub cable for $250.

    Happy with my gear so far and in my limited experience...love Polk.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dfretwell
    dfretwell Posts: 103
    edited January 2012
    I've had nothing but good experiences from buying used. Even had success on craigslist.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter