Rotel RB985 ?'s

okiepolkie

While pawn shopping this morning, I found a very clean Rotel RB985. This one is the flat front, and the comparable ones I've found on ebay are the MKII.

They originally had $500 on it, now $400. They said they could take $360, but I think I could get it for less because I happen to know they only gave 150 for it.

The plastic binding posts are the only things that have any wear on them, as a wrench was probably used on them at one point or another.

Would this be worth picking up for the price? I don't really have a need for it at the moment, but I could probably utilize it some day.

Demiurge

Faceplate is the upfront difference. The MKII accepts bare wire, and the MKI requires spades or banana plugs. Get a higher rating in wattage on the MKII, but not much. I would say it's worth the money, but why not try working them down a bit more? That's a good amp.

sucks2beme

Dealing with pawnshops can be real interesting. Some will deal up front, some
will only deal if it sits around a while, and some won't budge an inch.
CashAmerica works on the discount over time, with the manager special being the best deal. There are a few places here in Dallas that will throw their best price out there if they know you're serious. There's several places that have seen me deal before, and always give their best up front.
Make sure they'll give you a week to return it if it has problems. Anymore, most of the stuff in there isn't hot, its got issues. That where all those overheated surround sound recievers go to die. They'll pass the quick test, but crap out in a half hour under load at home. Like EBAY, don't let the thrill of the chase overcome caution.

okiepolkie

I've dealt a lot with pawn shops over the years, and know how to haggle a little bit. It is a Cash America, and the reason I know how much they gave is that I know their codes for pricing. I did miss a decent deal a couple weeks ago on a set of RT800's and a CS400. They were asking $200 for the set, and I almost bought them immediately to resell. However, one of the drivers in the 800 was bad, and the soft fronts on the 800's had been torn and scratched quite a bit. The people wouldn'g come off of them at all that day, even though they only had $40 in them, but they were already on layaway when I went in there two days later to talk with someone else.
Since I don't have much experience with used Rotel equipment, I figured I would wait, and go back and get it if someone thought it was a good deal for the price they were asking. I wouldn't mind brining in a few cash bills and making an offer if it is a good amp.

Thanks for the help so far.

Toxis

I own the 2 ch version and love it. If the price was right, I'd buy the 5ch and bi-amp the speakers instead of just using a 2ch. But seeing it's a pawn shop, I'd offer them $250 knowing they'd still make $100. See where it goes from there.

sucks2beme

They used to put the codes on the stickers here.
Most of them have to look it up on the computer now.
You might just have to wait them out. The price will go down.
They will also let you bring it back if it craps out in the first week.
They are definately the class act in pawn shops.
Cashamerica is where I got my NAD 2400 amp for $40 out the door!

okiepolkie

There were several other items I would like as well, so if I go in and get them as well, they will probably come off the price quite a bit.

I might go in there in the next few days and make them an offer.

okiepolkie

I've got a question, unrelated to this thread.

Why does my sig show up several times in one thread, even though it is still on the first page.

Anyway, back to the unscheduled program

okiepolkie

Oh, just figured it out. There is a "show your sig" check box in the quick reply. I searched for quite a while one evening to figure this out and never came up with anything. Maybe now I post without looking like an idiot each time