Depreciation

[Tonestar1]

My Arcam AVR 350 is playing up a bit. I've looked at a few repair options. I've no idea how much it will cost yet. The amp was originally £2400. However I looked on ebay and a couple went for less than £150 this evening. Why do AV amps loose value so much? I think it would be a good punt for anyone getting into hifi to buy a ten year old AV amp for stereo purposes. 2-3k amp for little more than £100 will give far better 2 channel performance than a £500 2 channel amp new. Bargin in my eyes. Thoughts?

 

[Gazzip]

My Arcam AVR 350 is playing up a bit. I've looked at a few repair options. I've no idea how much it will cost yet. The amp was originally £2400. However I looked on ebay and a couple went for less than £150 this evening. Why do AV amps loose value so much? I think it would be a good punt for anyone getting into hifi to buy a ten year old AV amp for stereo purposes. 2-3k amp for little more than £100 will give far better 2 channel performance than a £500 2 channel amp new. Bargin in my eyes. Thoughts?

This is because AV tech advances at a greater rate than two channel Hifi, leaving relatively recent AV offerings obsolete within only a few years.

 

[CnoEvil]

I had an AVR350 and IIRC it was £1500.

 

[Tonestar1]

Hey Cno,

I might have got mixed up with the iirc but I thought it was £2400. It was a long time ago. Point is it was a bloody great amp for music. Anyone getting into hifi should really consider an older AV for stereo purposes. Total bargin. My old Technics 2 channel is still worth more than i paid. I think there is a lot of bargins to be had in this area.

 

[steve_1979]

Makes me wonder why anyone would buy a new stereo amplifer for under £500 when you can pick up a second hand AVR worth £2400 for just £150.

It also makes me wonder why anyone would buy an new AVR when you can pick up a much better 2 year old for peanuts.

 

[Tonestar1]

Totally Steve,

It's bloody nuts. I was looking to get it repaired now i think the repair bill may be more than it's worth. I'm not that into surround sound but i do enjoy the experience when watching a film. My old circa 2000 amp is stil going for what i paid but me av amp is worth 10% of purchase price. Think it's a good tip for anyone getting into hifi to go for an old av rather than a 2 channel.

 

[CnoEvil]

Hey Cno,

I might have got mixed up with the iirc but I thought it was £2400. It was a long time ago. Point is it was a bloody great amp for music. Anyone getting into hifi should really consider an older AV for stereo purposes. Total bargin. My old Technics 2 channel is still worth more than i paid. I think there is a lot of bargins to be had in this area.

 

It was a long time ago....and its 2 channel would easily hold up against (if not better) today's AVRs at around that price.

 

[plastic penguin]

The whole debate about depreciation is a nonsense. Everything we use depreciates. The real question you need to ask is whether your AV amp is good enough to repair, or to maybe cash in your chips and look for a replacement.

It's all too easy to replace as it is far too easy to throw 'dead' money at an old (ish) product. But only you can decide that.

 

[Tonestar1]

The point I was making is the old av amps which don't have today's features are a total bargin for any budding enthusiasts. 120wpc on an arcam amp is way better then anything you can get new for £150. Your thoughts?

 

[steve_1979]

The point I was making is the old av amps which don't have today's features are a total bargin for any budding enthusiasts. 120wpc on an arcam amp is way better then anything you can get new for £150. Your thoughts?

Totally agree. For anyone on a tight budget a second hand AVR is the best way to go. Much better value than cheap amplifiers.

 

[Tonestar1]

PP, I always enjoy your posts but i think you are missing my point here. I've lost a lot of money on an AV amp but I think AV amps are a fantastic opportunity for newcomers to get real quality at a fraction of the price or 2 channel vintage stuff.

 

[keeper of the quays]

Just bought a musical fidelity htp 6000..its theatre processor which i use a two channel pre amp..has eight inputs.co ax.optical and rca..2k when new..i got it for £170..ebay! Its a stunning pre amp! I dont understand why they arent being snapped up? Its got similarities to nu vista and a3 amps..

 

[Tonestar1]

No opportunity to like on here but you have got the point i was trying to make. Glad you agree with me. cheers mate

 

[Tonestar1]

Happy days. Maybe i shouldn't have posted this as I will spoil the bargins for eveyone! How does it sound?

 

[steve_1979]

Just bought a musical fidelity htp 6000..its theatre processor which i use a two channel pre amp..has eight inputs.co ax.optical and rca..2k when new..i got it for £170..ebay! Its a stunning pre amp! I dont understand why they arent being snapped up? Its got similarities to nu vista and a3 amps..

I bought a Yamaha DSP-E800 off ebay to use as a DAC and pre-amp. It sounds great and has better build quality than their new stuff. A bargain for just £8!

 

[lindsayt]

Makes me wonder why anyone would buy a new stereo amplifer for under £500 when you can pick up a second hand AVR worth £2400 for just £150.

It also makes me wonder why anyone would buy an new AVR when you can pick up a much better 2 year old for peanuts.

I totally agree.

However it is possible that a £500ish new stereo amp could sound better than the 2nd hand £2400 / £150 A/V amp. It all depends...

Second hand makes so much sense for so many things in life. Houses, cars, musical instruments, clothes, photography equipment, hi-fi speakers.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

Wow.these old arcams were brilliant in the day and if they're going for that kind of money now it's an absolute steal,even if they aren't quite there for today's surround sound duties the two channel performance is plenty enough to justify buying one,heck I always lusted over these back then and maybe should just get one myself.lol.

 

[keeper of the quays]

Just bought a musical fidelity htp 6000..its theatre processor which i use a two channel pre amp..has eight inputs.co ax.optical and rca..2k when new..i got it for £170..ebay! Its a stunning pre amp! I dont understand why they arent being snapped up? Its got similarities to nu vista and a3 amps..

I bought a Yamaha DSP-E800 off ebay to use as a DAC and pre-amp. It sounds great and has better build quality than their new stuff. A bargain for just £8!

blimey...thats crazy cheap! Yamaha make great stuff..