Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2019 8:37:38 GMT
Do you know what makes the difference between something you buy and something you don’t? I’m trying to understand my own motivations.
1. Price is probably the first consideration. It has to be a bargain. How do I define this? Basically it means buying at a price below its expected used selling price. Rarely have I bought new and then it’s usually been in some sort of offer that means I can sell used at the same or more than I paid.
Does this limit my choices? Over time I’d say “no”. It just means letting a few examples pass whilst I watch for a cheapie.
2. The item has to have some “pull” for me. That usually means an 80s or early 90s item that lit a fire of desire that I haven’t had the chance to act on. Over time that list has dwindled. Of course I’d only be enthused by something with the looks and reported sound that appeals to me. These days I’m less tolerant of hair shirt/kitchen table build stuff. Modded or messed with stuff is a total black-ball for me. I like my stuff to be in factory condition.
3. Condition is important to a degree. No major marks is essential. No faults of any kind either, no matter what the price. The exception has been me buying a poor example for peanuts just so I can try and move on. I’d then seek a better one if it sounded good enough. A boxed item is a premium but often bargain prices and premium examples don’t go together, I’d sacrifice the boxed example to get a better price.
4. Price range, I’ve rarely bought used items over £1k. There are three factors here. One is that I haven’t usually found the extra spend to be worth it, Two is that most used items from my favourite period can be had for under £1k. Finally, because I only buy bargains, the urge to sell a more valuable item and cash in is always there. I’d rather feel comfortable keeping something, so I prefer not to buy stuff with significant money in it,
Does this resonate with anyone else? It would be interesting to compare and see what makes others pull the trigger.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 10:21:03 GMT
If only i could rationalise my purchasing decisions...... i've faffed around more about buying a CD for a tenner than a car for 15K, similarly, I bought my speakers instantly upon getting the chance but ummed and arred for ages over a new belt for my TT at £12 (black one or white one....). I think I'm broken  |
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Post by macca on Jul 1, 2019 10:46:16 GMT
For me the price has to be keen. I don't have any interest in making a profit but I like to think I could get my money back out of it if I needed to. Don't like to go over a grand, I've never paid over a grand for anything. So far at least. Once you're into 4 figures it's harder to sell on no matter how good it is.
Condition I don't care as long as it is working and any cosmetic flaws reflected in the price.
I usually look for stuff that is good but is generally not rated very highly on the forums. The law of contrary public opinion works well.
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Post by pauld on Jul 1, 2019 11:20:12 GMT
I got for whatever I am willing to spend, can afford and hear enough of a difference to warrant that spend.
For me I recently spent a lot more money on cabling than I ever thought I would consider, but the difference it made to the system was easily worth every penny to me.
The naysayers across the forum community will likely say I am nuts, but then I genuinely don't care that much about that.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,400
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2019 11:37:22 GMT
For me the price has to be keen. I don't have any interest in making a profit but I like to think I could get my money back out of it if I needed to. Don't like to go over a grand, I've never paid over a grand for anything. So far at least. Once you're into 4 figures it's harder to sell on no matter how good it is.
Condition I don't care as long as it is working and any cosmetic flaws reflected in the price. I usually look for stuff that is good but is generally not rated very highly on the forums. The law of contrary public opinion works well. That’s a really good point. Often not considered by forum buyers who then struggle to move their purchase on. |
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Post by macca on Jul 1, 2019 12:16:24 GMT
I do feel for people who are struggling to sell even after months. Usually something that they bought new for several grand and usually a product that does not really justify that kind of money, like a DAC or CD player. They'll usually start at about 75% on new price and gradually drop it down over time but still no-one bites. In general the old hands know it isn't worth the money and the less experienced won't take a punt at those price levels anyway so there's no market for that kit on forums.
On the other hand there is kit that sits around for ages when it should be snapped up. On AoS now there is a set of Tannoy Glennair and a minty Radford amp been sat about for ages. You could have both for under £3K and add a quality preamp and you'd have an end-game system that would rival set-ups well into the 40-50 grand mark. But I suppose unless you have the experience to know how good that would be you're not going to take a punt at that level of expenditure.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2019 12:30:08 GMT
I remember a mate buying my ksa80 for a grand. I think he expected to make a hit and stuck it on eBay 99p start and no reserve. He got £600. Expensive kit is not an easy sell and I’d never take that sort of gamble. Buy it now would’ve got it sold but even keel can take time.
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Post by macca on Jul 1, 2019 13:43:26 GMT
I think more people in the UK have woken up to Krell recently thanks to a few people on the forums acquiring one and saying how much they rate it. Add to that a relative scarcity in the UK and prices go up. When I got mine you couldn't give them away I think mainly due to decades of UK hi-fi mags either ignoring them or disparaging them. Those years of reading magazine bollocks had a big impact on people's perceptions and still does. People ignore the lesser-known bargains and instead pay over the odds for brands with many years of magazine reputation. Look at the price of used Naim for example. Or classic-era Exposure.
Now we've got the forums we've got new myths evolving. Fortunately not everyone takes it as gospel in the way they did with the so called 'professional reviewers' in the mags. if I had a quid for every time someone says 'I don't understand why you think XXX is overpriced and over-rated, So-and-So said it was a bargain and he's a respected reviewer' I'd be a millionaire. People are so trusting of perceived 'authorities' and so disparaging when a differing opinion is offered from anyone who isn't one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 14:00:02 GMT
My purchasing decisions are entirely random, and rarely make sense, even to me. Every seven years or so I get bored with whatever I'm using and go for a complete change of direction. Sometimes, by some weird alchemy I've been unable to decode, I hit upon a winning combination and stick with it.
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Post by macca on Jul 1, 2019 14:13:31 GMT
True, despite everything I think I've learnt over the decades a scattergun approach accompanied by some random good fortune is still the best way to get a good system together. I wish I could quantify it more than that, but I can't.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 14:23:58 GMT
Simple. You buy the big Tannoys first and everything else just falls into place!  |
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,400
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 1, 2019 15:12:12 GMT
I think more people in the UK have woken up to Krell recently thanks to a few people on the forums acquiring one and saying how much they rate it. Add to that a relative scarcity in the UK and prices go up. When I got mine you couldn't give them away I think mainly due to decades of UK hi-fi mags either ignoring them or disparaging them. Those years of reading magazine bollocks had a big impact on people's perceptions and still does. People ignore the lesser-known bargains and instead pay over the odds for brands with many years of magazine reputation. Look at the price of used Naim for example. Or classic-era Exposure. Now we've got the forums we've got new myths evolving. Fortunately not everyone takes it as gospel in the way they did with the so called 'professional reviewers' in the mags. if I had a quid for every time someone says 'I don't understand why you think XXX is overpriced and over-rated, So-and-So said it was a bargain and he's a respected reviewer' I'd be a millionaire. People are so trusting of perceived 'authorities' and so disparaging when a differing opinion is offered from anyone who isn't one. All very true. |
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Post by sq225917 on Jul 1, 2019 20:29:33 GMT
Do I like the look of it.
Will it be an improvement.
Can I afford it, build it.
Does it scratch an itch.
If yes proceed to purchasing
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 22:57:15 GMT
For me the price has to be keen. I don't have any interest in making a profit but I like to think I could get my money back out of it if I needed to. Don't like to go over a grand, I've never paid over a grand for anything. So far at least. Once you're into 4 figures it's harder to sell on no matter how good it is. Condition I don't care as long as it is working and any cosmetic flaws reflected in the price. I usually look for stuff that is good but is generally not rated very highly on the forums. The law of contrary public opinion works well. Tannoys were/are over a grand. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2019 23:00:21 GMT
Ranked in order of importance
1) Will it improve my system. If not, why bother.
2) Can I build an equivalent for less
3) Will I be able to sell it for little to no loss.
4) Can I afford it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2019 0:21:45 GMT
Is there something visually appealing about it? Yes.
Is there some design aspect that interests? Yes.
Is it shagged? Yes.
Is it a bargain? Yes.
Can I rationalize that I have too much stuff waiting for attention already? No.
I'll buy it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2019 0:33:50 GMT
"You couldn't give them away."
I do like that saying.
"Err... Do you want me Krell? I'm giving it away."
"Not today, thanks."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2019 5:39:44 GMT
I am attracted to anything old skool and surrounded in controversy
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2019 6:52:47 GMT
I am attracted to anything old skool and surrounded in controversy Theresa May? |
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Post by macca on Jul 2, 2019 7:40:40 GMT
For me the price has to be keen. I don't have any interest in making a profit but I like to think I could get my money back out of it if I needed to. Don't like to go over a grand, I've never paid over a grand for anything. So far at least. Once you're into 4 figures it's harder to sell on no matter how good it is. Condition I don't care as long as it is working and any cosmetic flaws reflected in the price. I usually look for stuff that is good but is generally not rated very highly on the forums. The law of contrary public opinion works well. Tannoys were/are over a grand. True but so far I've only paid for the drive units and that was less than a grand |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2019 7:48:01 GMT
For me the price has to be keen. I don't have any interest in making a profit but I like to think I could get my money back out of it if I needed to. Don't like to go over a grand, I've never paid over a grand for anything. So far at least. Once you're into 4 figures it's harder to sell on no matter how good it is. Condition I don't care as long as it is working and any cosmetic flaws reflected in the price. I usually look for stuff that is good but is generally not rated very highly on the forums. The law of contrary public opinion works well. Tannoys were/are over a grand. My little Tannoy Ascots were £200 about three years ago. They may fetch twice that now, but it's still a cheap way into the real Tannoy sound. They're not far short of my Cheviots to listen to. |
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