How do you determine the value of used equipment?

michaelrmurphy
michaelrmurphy Posts: 2
edited September 2009 in The Clubhouse
I'm a newbie to the forum and the audiophile community in general. I have some equipment I bought in the late 80s/early 90s that I'm interested in selling.

I haven't found the exact models I have for sale on eBay or Craigslist and I don't know enough about the equipment to make accurate comparisons between what I've got and what I did see for sale. A few Google searches turned up some websites that will sell me a "bluebook" value for my equipment but I can't believe that's my best option.

I'm willing to do the research but I need someone to point me in the right direction. Here's some of the equipment I have:
  • Polk Monitor 8Ts
  • Denon DRA-825RA receiver
  • Denon DRW-580 tape deck
  • California Audio Labs Icon CD player
  • Yamaha RX-V590 receiver

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

-Mike
Post edited by michaelrmurphy on
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Comments

  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited September 2009
    Look over at Audigon...

    I also look at a couple of Used stereo equipment stores here that have online catalogs....bear in mind that they are adding 20-40% to cover their overhead, so I figure CL sale $$ is about 60% of what the "retail" listing is.

    Are those speakers 'RTA'-8T's (Polk label on the back) Perfect ones (no dings, everything working) go for around $80-$100. The 'TL' versins go for alittle more.

    The Denon receiver is around $75-100 (as a baisc 2 channel receiver) I could not find anything for it on the Denon web pages, so I can't say more specifically. IF the specs are close to the 775, the reseller here has one of those listed at $289, so REAL value is about $175, but right now I see a 800 receiver reciever with a 6 disk CD Changer and speakers on CL for $150 (end of the month discounting)

    THe Cassette players is probally just a 'gimmi' to sweeten the sale. (IMHO)

    Good luck with your sale
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2009
    Assuming it looks nice most used equipment goes for around half of new price or less. That should give you a ballpark of what people may pay.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited September 2009
    It all depends on what the component is. I have seen some cd players and amps go for just under MSRP to over MSRP. An example would be a Carver CD player SD/A 490t. In very good condition they will sell for $500 and MSRP was $700 in 1993.

    Best bet is to find a setup of the Bluebook on ebay or find someone willing to look it up for you. They are like car bluebooks and will give you a good starting point.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • kosta
    kosta Posts: 10
    edited September 2009
    ebay/cl/audiogon

    there a blue book for equipment much like what we use to setermine a car's worth
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,780
    edited September 2009
    One way to determine the value, is to make your first post on an audio forum asking for information. List all the equipment you are selling, and see what offers you get through PM's.

    Very clever way to get around the forum rules, wonder why no one thought of it before? Or maybe they have.
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited September 2009
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    One way to determine the value, is to make your first post on an audio forum asking for information. List all the equipment you are selling, and see what offers you get through PM's.

    Very clever way to get around the forum rules, wonder why no one thought of it before? Or maybe they have.

    That is EXACTLY what I was thinking.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • michaelrmurphy
    michaelrmurphy Posts: 2
    edited September 2009
    Thank you everyone for your responses, I appreciate the help.

    My intention in listing the equipment specifically wasn't to generate offers but to give an idea of the type of equipment I was talking about. I assume there's a difference in market, and therefore marketplace and value, for mid-range vs high-end equipment, etc.

    I apologize if I violated a forum rule or my post seems deceptive in some way. I thought I was pretty straightforward about what I was looking for. I'm smart enough to know what I don't know (about this equipment) and defer to the experts. That's you guys.

    -Michael
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited September 2009
    Gaara wrote: »
    That is EXACTLY what I was thinking.

    We have...

    That's why anything for sale here requires 25 posts and a price be set for it. No fishing.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2009
    Hmmmm.... this looks like an ad to me, but then again, I am a newbie here and should keep my mouth shut, but some times I lack the ability to do that...
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited September 2009
    I just looked it all up for you. I came up with $5 for all of it shipped to me, but since I am a nice guy, I'll give you $10 shipped. I mean, what the heck, since your posting an ad, why not offer... :D:D:D:D:D:D


    This post is a poor attemp at humor and not a real offer to buy anything from the OP. Please do not kick my off of here for being a smart a** :o
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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