The case AGAINST USED Audio Gear !

[@derreckgilmore3360]

Bought Adcom GFP-555 preamp & GFA-535 power amp used, vintage USA gear...my Vandersteen 2c's have never been happier!

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yes, and only hundreds of dollars.. Great deal !! When they were new, they sounded different.

[@derreckgilmore3360]

​​@@OCDHIFiGuyNo difference...the amps are legendary in their robust design & sound quality...so much so that in 2024 Adcom is releasing upgraded amps based on the original classic designs, inside & out...at realistic, affordable prices.

[@simonwang4222]

I like to buy used, financially wise decisions no doubt

[@mrk8212]

Until you spend $5k on a used amp then have a problem with it.. just one time might have you rethinking that philosophy. Been there.

[@saint6563]

Hilarious! A recent vid you were trying to sell a twenty year old CD player. Hypocritical.

[@Laguna2013]

you seem to know what you are doing :) will you work on my old counterpoint preamp please?

[@adaboy4z]

I'm all for DYI because you have to make mistakes to learn and grow you knowledge. I started refoaming vintage damaged speakers, then changing bad belts on tape decks and changing blown capacitors. Take the time to watch some experienced techs videos, join some forums buy a VM, Solder station and Oscilloscope and learn to read repair manuals. Now after three years I can rebuild my own gear.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Absolutely. Most of us don't have the time or desire to inhale toxic fumes in the shop and build stuff. But if you do, it was a great way for me to learn that I didn't want to be that guy. I spent years in a shop. I'll take buying new or barely used now. But I get it.

[@TheNathanMChannel]

Heat damage? That’s a premium burn-in service! I charge extra for that.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Lol. Nice !

[@AudioGuyBrian]

I am not impressed by most of the new gear available. No Tape Monitor loops to add in EQ's. And even Integrated amps with nothing but a Volume knob, on/off switch and source select. No Bass or Treble controls, no Loudness button. I have even seen stereo integrated amps with no balance knob! Really, that would have made the amp too expensive? Just basically a Power Amp with a couple of extra knobs on it. Also, I am an electronics repair guy with plenty of test gear and tools to fix all this stuff. So if the bias or DC offset voltage is off a bit, no problem, hold my beer for 2 minutes while I fix that.

[@boneseyyl1060]

Bass/treble and EQ is generally done digitally thru the interface on most new amps. No need for knobs or switches. Actually same for the balance although I have never found a use for balance anyway.

[@AudioGuyBrian]

@@boneseyyl1060 I use balance all the time to quickly do A/B comparisons of my DIY speaker projects when I make minor changes in the external crossovers. And point me to a modem integrated amp or pre-amp with dual 31 band digital EQs, (1/3 octave) on it. Sounds like a unicorn in hiding that I've never seen anywhere.

[@boneseyyl1060]

@@AudioGuyBrian There is a good reason a 31 band equalizer is a unicorn. It's because you and one other random guy are the only two people looking for it. That's what happens to features nobody wants or needs. Fact is you are talking about a different hobby than people who just want to buy gear, tweak it a bit and then listen to it. That's fine but it's not like there is a problem with today's gear, just because they don't have features that very few people need or want.

[@thomaswipf7986]

Buying used Ayre Acoustics gear is the best move I've made. I can't afford new prices but their gear is different, better and fun.

[@audibleeleganceinc]

Thank you for adding your insight to this subject. I just had to delete a comment that was well written, a different opinion, after he accused me of lying. You know, after 38 years in the industry, I have seen a lot and you added even more valid points to the topic of used equipment. Keep doing what you do and I cruise over to your channel all the time.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

True, after a while of hearing stories from the amount of people I speak with. It sinks in.

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

On the Volvo maintenance topic, beware of the gear box oil change. On the good old V70 they never changed gearbox oil in the service program. Instead they opted for a gearbox replacement at about 250k km. Subaru had the same gearbox and made oil change every 50k km. Volvo claimed the cost of gearbox replacement is the same as regular oil change (I call BS). I don't know how it's done with today's line up or how's it done in the US, but you might want to check it up. Cheers from Volvo land.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Do you mean transmission or AWD differential ?

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Used cables: no worries 👍

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

Sorry to say but they get old to, soldering deteriorate, contacts surface inside oxidate, contacts getting sloppy. Have a pair of old Tara Labs Prism and today they sounds very dull.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yeah, if you want oxidized, crusty, stiff cables with cracks...

[@jeffstrickling569]

I have only bought 2 pieces of equipment used and they were demos from a dealer, a pair of speakers and a preamp.

[@johnshaw359]

Check to see who's happy to service / repair any exotic brands you may be considering buying used, especially big amplifiers and CD players due to parts/transports.

[@audiolife5038]

Just bought a pair of Maggies that looked perfect. But underneath the fabric the panel was damaged. Now the seller won't take any responsibility.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

See, its buyer beware.... New with warranty has its benefits.

[@karelvandervelden8819]

Can somebody tell me how long the tweeters in my 16 year old secondhand PMC DB1+ speakers will last ? Will I loose volume from the tweeter when the ferrofluid dries out ?

[@johnw.graovac8030]

I had Paisley AE500 speakers that had ferrofluid in the speakers. I had them for 45 years and give them to a friend they still sound as good as the day i bought them and everything is original never seen a repair shop.

[@karelvandervelden8819]

@@johnw.graovac8030 Yes thanks. In the meantime I have been reading further. There are mixed opinions and effects to get lost in. Guess I let the ears do the judging and worry later.

[@jmalen123]

Hey my brother... Title could have been : Case Against Old Gear. All my gear was either slightly used or open box and the cost savings is astronomical. I could never have bought my gear from a dealer.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Good distinction... thx !

[@mikegoddard7354]

Got an ad for reverb😂. Any way, I think we all understand the risks. Fingers crossed. Just find it funny you posted this video after the esoteric x01

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yeah, Its an interesting piece, and people can buy them, but Im against all CD spinners as an option... they are done...

[@mikegoddard7354]

@@OCDHIFiGuy Yea I feel you, honestly do you know a good source to get quality dsd content outside of SACD's? I know dsd maybe a bit of hype but I really enjoy the presentation. I also am aware that if it's not truly recorded in DSD it's just being upmixed I guess, something along those lines. I want to find some true DSD recordings. If I recall your video on playback designs, you were saying that the streamer or dac can upmix all files into DSD, right? something along those lines. Being that the designer of PBD is the inventor or part of the invention of DSD.

[@elitetrader5468]

@@mikegoddard7354 Tons of true DSD recordings at Native DSD, but it is all classical music obviously.

[@markwest1529]

Always make sure all your second hand hifi has had regular oil changes.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Exactly

[@connorduke4619]

And don't forget the brake fluid either.

[@rfeldman1]

I love buying high quality banged up foam rotted speakers.

[@tonywheeler917]

But the ad said barely used.

[@Chiroboy63]

I use Benny in Roswell. Alpharetta hwy. same guy ?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yep

[@jazzlouise]

I guess it depends on how used it is. The best case would be buying used with a transferable warranty.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Absolutely. Only concern then is if it's weakened but working. Slightly used with full warranty is many times the best value.

[@tonywheeler917]

Oldest children tend to buy new while middle children are okay with used.

[@connorduke4619]

Interesting comment.

[@progrock3603]

Do you know ow anybody good down in South Florida?

[@kennethlui2268]

I only buy used cables and accessories such as footers, spikes, etc.

[@JeffreyNero-sk6jv]

All I buy is used or demo. High end is solidly built. Never had a problem and I’ve a nice system for relatively cheap. Used is GREAT. Let the yuppies eat the depreciation?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Hi Jeff, I talk to 10 people average every day that tell me about what they bought used and about 50% is fine, 50% needs repairs. Same with used cars. Except cars you know how many miles are on them. So take ur pick!

[@michaelmityok1001]

Dude, that rack of gear has me drooling lol. Do you never sell used shit?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

I sell it when people ask... I dont advertise at all..

[@DAMIANCOOK-lr9gz]

yeah i learnt that lesson the hard way brought a 35 watt musical fidelity class a amp used & do"nt get me wrong not trashing the brand i brought the amp just on word of mouth big mistake but i learnt a valuable lesson from that experience

[@Jason787]

If no one bought new hifi their would be no used. Personally I like buying new as I like to support the manufacturer. it is like a show of appreciation of their hard work.

[@n.lyndley.9889]

Their There They’re 1 out of 2

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

Good, you support them and we'll buy it from you for 75% off.

[@NickP333]

Haha 🤣 Only use sucker for solder….

[@Maxx134a]

It's the caps in electronics that loose spec rating. The resistors could change from heat on old tube gear as well, but way less an issue on new gear, as resistor types used are better. Yet the tiny caps, like on computer boards, don't have issues, as they use smd parts and other types which aren't subjected to age issues. The real issue with used electronics, is the "DC offset" that may not be zero... resulting in "pops", which is death to IEMs(!), and when connecting to other gear ... I have observed this when inserting headphones or IEMs in a headphone socket. Usually a circuit will correct itself for zero DC offset on output, but pops indicate a problem.

[@AllboroLCD]

Just have some knowledge on the piece your looking at. If your not privy to whats going on inside, at least have a go-to trusted technician. Ive made every single mistake you listed repairing gear, yet still, pads can be replaced, traces fixed. Definitely beware... but its a long road to a piece of gear becoming totally fubar. Good advice nonetheless.

[@johnsonrobinsonjr1272]

Yo yo yo... Used gear is a 50/50 purchase

[@Error2username]

If you are prepared to do the jobb, buy used... 1/3price easy.

[@outboardfun3353]

Don't you sell used gear?

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

Yes, with a warranty...

[@glenncurry3041]

There are lemon laws because a new car could be a nightmare from day one. Like your Volvo, my 2014 Audi A5 is the B8.5 chassis and that is considered a peak in design of the series. Looking at the new models they've add "Japanese" creases which take away from the smooth sleek lines it inherited from it's Bugatti Veyron and Audi R8 heritage. I am looking at dumping money into turbo and timing chain rebuilds rather than new even though it lacks the tech, that incredible virtual cockpit now available. My partner has a brand new Nissan Altima. New car smell. Lots of cameras, lane control,... I lack. But sitting in the drivers seat and heading down the road is not even close.

[@TriAmpMyFi]

. Lemon Laws are absolutely horrible. They were designed to insulate the complete idiot from any personal responsibility. They cause the financial destruction of what is most people's 2nd biggest asset. It forces people to buy factory certified retail labor at $160 an hour whether they buy or sell. If that can't be afforded, the asset goes to $0.00 because they can't sell it. A 14 year old can't start an asset from $0.00 by purchasing a car "as is" then working on it for 2 years while they wait for a license. That's a huge incentive for 16 year olds not to dent the car they've just invested so much time into as well. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@TriAmpMyFi]

So glad these silly, silly laws aren't in my state.

[@glenncurry3041]

@@TriAmpMyFi You prefer the consumer having no recourse when sold a bad product? WOW! Besides, all 50 states have them. So you must live only in the state of confusion?

[@TriAmpMyFi]

@@glenncurry3041 This is why I say Idiot. The parties agree to a written contract which is always enforceable by law. Didn't you at least google states without lemon laws? Geesch...............

[@jeffstrickling569]

Lemon laws apply to all passenger vehicles, new or used. That was not why Lemon laws were created.

[@spandel100]

😁🤜🤛