canadian eh?

jayman_1975

I was wondering if any fellow canucks could enlighten me on something. I am close to purchasing a 2 channel amp either on ebay or audiogon. Was wondering if anyone who has purchased from the U.S.A could tell me if there are any hidden costs (ie-duty, tax) when buying across the border?

janmike

I have purchased way too much from the USA. Right Mark?
Anyway, you may end up paying duty on the item. It seems to be a hit and miss thing with those people. I have purchased items for over $1K and no duty and then I end up paying a few bucks for something small. For the most part, I do not end up paying duty - probably 10% of the items I purchase I get hit. You can ask the seller to delcare it as used item or a gift, but still that is no guarantee. Do NOT have the seller reduce the value to the point where the insurance is no good if something happens. I would rather pay extra and be covered if the item gets damaged or lost. Then you are SOOL.

So where are you located?

jayman_1975

so you are saying that there would be not duty ever on a used item?...cause i was planning on buying used.

janmike

There is the possibility of being charged a handling fee for a used item by CP.

F1nut

Have the item shipped via USPS, not FedEx or UPS as they charge a steep handling fee.

Willow

it depends like JM said. I bought stuff from the US and only once have I had to pay fees.

janmike

I totally agree with F1nut's method of delivery. USPS is a lot cheaper and personally I have never had a problem with that method of shipping. I cannot say that about the other two.

madmax

Many have asked me to put a low value on stuff. If it gets lost or whatever, who knows what happens. They seem more worried about paying the duties.
madmax

GATOR3000

jayman,

I ordered 6 Volex power cords from US. The total cost on US side was $31.43 US. They would sent cables only by UPS. When UPS delivered the package in Toronto they charged me $21.67 CND for brokerage fees. So there you go. It was still worth it. The Volex power cords are a lot better than the once that came with my components.

Attached are pics of my new Parasound HCA 1500A:
205 Watts RMS x 2 at 8ohms
315 Watts RMS x 2 at 4ohms
630 Watts RMS mono/bridged

I bought this amp on www.canuckaudiomart.com from canuck fellow. The price was actually lower than same units which were listed on audiogone at that time. He sent it by Canada Post in 2 business days for $37.89 CND.

So YES, there are good deals on both sides US and Canada. I found our American fellows to be very nice and fantastic to deal with. I guess we are all one big audio family!

If you are worried about duties and handling fees I’m sure you can get a good deal on 2 channel amp here at home. Take a look at my amp is mint.

Cheers

Gator:)

jayman_1975

thanks for the feedback fellas. I have been watching canuckaudiomart as well as audiogon. I just haven't found the one that feels right to me yet. I don't get a chance to demo anything as i live in a fairly small city so i gotta buy blind so to speak. With this new info i won't be afraid to bid on something out of the USA. Thanx.

janmike

What are you exactly looking for? I have a few friends throughout Canada that see things come and go all of the time. Where are you located?

cfrizz

Very nice Gator, I've never seen the inside of my 1500! Explains why I was sore for days after carrying it up to my place & lifting it into it's location!

Make sure you post the difference it makes in your system!

F1nut

Cathy, that's what brothers are for.

GATOR3000

Hey Cathy, thanks for the complement on 1500. Don’t know if you remember I took your advice to get the amp. I love this amp it mates well with my mosfet B&K amp. Yes, you’re right, these units are heavy.

Gator:)

jayman_1975

janmike wrote:

What are you exactly looking for? I have a few friends throughout Canada that see things come and go all of the time. Where are you located?

I'm in Saskatchewan. In a city of about 20,000. The only external amp i can find anywhere in town is a Behringer M500(i think), and it's a pa amp. I was kinda hoping to find a decent deal on an Adcom or maybe even a Rotel amp, was looking at the Carver amps as well, tempted to try TFM 35. Like i said, i have to buy blind so i dunno which one would tickle my fancy the best. I'll be pushing some M70's using my Denon 3805 as pre.

janmike

I am in a similar situation when it comes to having the ability to demo gear. If you have established a $ figure for the amp, # of channels (look down the road and not just today - 2CH versus HT) and the capabilities of the Denon (preouts), then you can narrow the field down. Seems like you are doing that now. As indicated earlier, the Canuck Audio Mart is a good place to look and if you find something there that falls within the criteria you have outlined then you can always bounce the idea of people here on the forum. Too bad, I just sold my Rotel RB-1080. Take you time and the amp at the right price will come your way. Remember one thing that huge power (wpc) does NOT automatically equate for suburb power quality.

GATOR3000

hey jayman,
Here is a nice amp for you. Adcom 5x125 wpc 8 ohms and it is located in Saskatchewan. I have B&K 5x105 wpc 8ohms and it powered my RTi8's very well. Also, you can bi-amp your fronts and use the spare channel for your centre. Use your 3805 to power you surround and you are all set.

Gator:)

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/33153-adcom_gfa_7605_black_125_x_5__reduced/

jayman_1975

thanks gator, I'm gonna check into that one, good idea bi-amping the fronts i wasn't sure if 125 would be much improvement over what i have right now but that sounds like a good idea.

GATOR3000

hey jayman,

I have the 3806 120 wpc. After I hooked up B&K 105 wpc it was like day and night. 3806 will probably give you only 35 to 40 wpc true watts. External/separate amp will give you true 125 wpc continuous. Power amps in receivers are totally different than separates. You will love it.

Gator

cfrizz

I agree Jesse! However, it would be just a little inconvenient & expensive for my brother in DC to come all the way up to Boston to lug an amp up to my place!:eek: WAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Which is why i'm patiently waiting for a 5-7 channel 200-250 wpc digital amp to be marketed.

F1nut wrote:

Cathy, that's what brothers are for.

jayman_1975

GATOR3000 wrote:

hey jayman,

I have the 3806 120 wpc. After I hooked up B&K 105 wpc it was like day and night. 3806 will probably give you only 35 to 40 wpc true watts. External/separate amp will give you true 125 wpc continuous. Power amps in receivers are totally different than separates. You will love it.

Gator

yeah...i have been reading alot about this in here. I think i'm going to go ahead and take the plunge into a seperate amp. I'm still not sure if i wanna go 5 channel or just 2. I really dig 2 channel music...and i like it fairly loud, and am fairly happy with the way H/T sounds with just the Denon powering everything, i can play movies at -15 to -10 db without any distortion and it is borderline being to loud already. This could be due to my room being only 16*12 and the sound fills it up nicely. I would however like a little more slam when it comes to music. Question....would that adcom 5*125 run bi-amped to the fronts and the one left over for the center($650 on canuckaudiomart) be better sound than a two channel amp in the same price range?

janmike

If you buy a 2 channel amp and hear the difference, the chances are incredibly high that you will then look for a 3CH or sell the 2CH and look for a 5. Get what you can afford, but remember this post. Good Luck.