Sony Esprit - unused clearing my fathers house

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Originally Posted by struth

if you do sell on ebay collection only, do NOT accept paypal. cash only. If they pay by paypal you have to prove you sent it and they got it.

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Yes Paypal definitely not a sellers friend!

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Originally Posted by Bigman80

Whilst I see your point, I also think it's a bit paranoid. Not saying that it's wrong to be cautious though.

It's the OPs choice. If in doubt, use Audio Mart UK and HiFiforsale, preloved, gumtree. Plenty of ways to sell. I think there may even be a SonyES forum in Germany. They'd snap your hand off.

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I don't think it is paranoid. Check out the number of ebay sellers who will not ship abroad, there are reasons for that and one of them is scammers. There are people scamming eBay sellers for a living. They are professionals and they know all the dodges. When there are other, much safer ways to sell, why risk it?

Agree selling it on Audio Mart UK or HiFiforsale, or on the ES forum is a much better bet

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Originally Posted by Macca

I don't think it is paranoid. Check out the number of ebay sellers who will not ship abroad, there are reasons for that and one of them is scammers. There are people scamming eBay sellers for a living. They are professionals and they know all the dodges. When there are other, much safer ways to sell, why risk it?

Agree selling it on Audio Mart UK or HiFiforsale, or on the ES forum is a much better bet

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Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?

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Originally Posted by Four Eyes

Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?

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They're very rare. Have a look on hifishark for previous sales. Might give you an idea.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Arkless Electronics

The op is no concern of mine. just reporting that in my opinion there could be serious issues if it went wrong.

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Yes, which you've done now on more than one occasion, so any further mention of such could be construed as a 'thread crap' ;)

The same would apply had Mike just bought the gear he's selling, and you came on and similarly 'rained on his parade' about what could potentially go wrong with it, when all he wants is to enjoy himself.... Ya gets me? :)

He didn't start a thread entitled: 'What could potentially go wrong with vintage Sony Esprit gear?' He's simply after advice on how best to sell the stuff his dad had.

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Four Eyes

Question is what sort of figure should I ask if selling as complete package?

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If it was me I'd start at £10K and work down from there if there are no takers at that level. But I would sell it all separately, would shift faster I suspect.

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Originally Posted by Bigman80

They're very rare. Have a look on hifishark for previous sales. Might give you an idea.

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

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Thanks

i think you are over vastly valuing them, but happy to be wrong.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Yes, which you've done now on more than one occasion, so any further mention of such could be construed as a 'thread crap' ;)

The same would apply had Mike just bought the gear he's selling, and you came on and similarly 'rained on his parade' about what could potentially go wrong with it, when all he wants is to enjoy himself.... Ya gets me? :)

He didn't start a thread entitled: 'What could potentially go wrong with vintage Sony Esprit gear?' He's simply after advice on how best to sell the stuff his dad had.

Marco.

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Appreciated - thanks

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Originally Posted by Macca

If it was me I'd start at £10K and work down from there if there are no takers at that level. But I would sell it all separately, would shift faster I suspect.

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Like the sound of that could be very handy since I only have UK pension to 'survive' on!

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Originally Posted by struth

i think you are over vastly valuing them, but happy to be wrong.

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I'd rather over-value than under-value, you can always drop the price if you get no bites but selling it for a lot less than it is worth cannot be rectified.

According to TVK the loudspeakers alone are both very rare and highly sought after, To me that means at least a few grand right there.

Mike, my advice is first to try and sell it on forums, and simply ask for sensible offers (to give you a guide), based on what similar kit to yours has sold for recently (anywhere, ebay or whatever), and if you're simply being hit with 'low-ballers', take it to the likes of German ebay (as an auction with a properly assessed fixed reserve), or as Ali says, Gumtree.

Based on my experience, unless you're *very lucky*, the UK is not the market to get a proper price for this type of equipment. Most potential buyers who appreciate what you've got and are willing to pay what it's properly worth, will live in the likes of Germany, Greece, Italy or the US, or perhaps even Japan.

Therefore, you need to expose your ad to those types of buyers, and be prepared to pack the gear professionally (you've already got a head start here, as it's boxed as new, which trust me will be a HUGE selling point), insure it properly and ship it abroad, as IMO the rewards of doing so, in terms of the price you're likely to get, compared with selling it here on forums, will be more than worth it! :)

Marco.

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

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Originally Posted by Macca

I'd rather over-value than under-value, you can always drop the price if you get no bites but selling it for a lot less than it is worth cannot be rectified.

According to TVK the loudspeakers alone are both very rare and highly sought after, To me that means at least a few grand right there.

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Have to remember that the foam speaker surrounds have disintegrated and i tried a chap in Russia who can get square surrounds for the smaller models but unfortunately not The APM 6. Apparently the same foam is also used within the speaker waffle and therefore even if the surrounds could be sourced they wouldn't be the only thing required for a total repair.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Mike, my advice is first to try and sell it on forums, and simply ask for sensible offers (to give you a guide), based on what similar kit to yours has sold for recently (anywhere, ebay or whatever), and if you're simply being hit with 'low-ballers', take it to the likes of German ebay (as an auction with a properly assessed fixed reserve), or as Ali says, Gumtree.

Based on my experience, unless you're *very lucky*, the UK is not the market to get a proper price for this type of equipment. Most potential buyers who appreciate what you've got and are willing to pay what it's properly worth, will live in the likes of Germany, Greece, Italy or the US, or perhaps even Japan.

Therefore, you need to expose your ad to those types of buyers, and be prepared to pack the gear professionally (you've already got a head start here, as it's boxed as new, which trust me will be a HUGE selling point), insure it properly and ship it abroad, as IMO the rewards of doing so, in terms of the price you're likely to get, compared with selling it here on forums, will be more than worth it! :)

Marco.

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Many thanks for the good advice Marco

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Originally Posted by Four Eyes

Have to remember that the foam speaker surrounds have disintegrated and i tried a chap in Russia who can get square surrounds for the smaller models but unfortunately not The APM 6. Apparently the same foam is also used within the speaker waffle and therefore even if the surrounds could be sourced they wouldn't be the only thing required for a total repair.

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For the value of the speakers, all those problems can be overcome. There will be someone, somewhere, who can sort it, or knows how to sort it.

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Originally Posted by sq225917

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

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Thanks

Hmm. I'd love to see somebody find foam surrounds for those. Let alone make some. They could be made from the right foam sheet, but you'd need a heatproof mould to thermoset the profile.

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Originally Posted by Macca

For the value of the speakers, all those problems can be overcome. There will be someone, somewhere, who can sort it, or knows how to sort it.

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That's good news - cheers

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Originally Posted by walpurgis

Hmm. I'd love to see somebody find foam surrounds for those. Let alone make some. They could be made from the right foam sheet, but you'd need a heatproof mould to thermoset the profile.

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But it could be done as those resources exist and are not scarce.

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Originally Posted by Macca

But it could be done as those resources exist and are not scarce.

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There would no doubt be a demand for surrounds for these speakers. So you can bet your life no surround mould exists. If it did we'd be seeing replacement surrounds for sale for what is a vintage classic design. Having a steel mould machined would cost thousands.

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Originally Posted by sq225917

If you sell ebay to Germany ship with the global ebay post programme, then any f-ups are ebays issue. Ebay is perfectly safe if you stick to buyers with a 100% record. if something smells fishy with a buyer it usually is.

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Hi just did a check on the ebay global shipping program and just for info their specs are

'The item must weigh no more than 30kg and be no larger than 125,000 cm³, and no longer than 120cm on the longest side. It should be worth no more than £2,000, except if you’re posting Russia, in which case it should be worth no more than £800'.

Regards

Mike

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Originally Posted by walpurgis

There would no doubt be a demand for surrounds for these speakers. So you can bet your life no surround mould exists. If it did we'd be seeing replacement surrounds for sale for what is a vintage classic design. Having a steel mould machined would cost thousands.

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From what I have seen on the internet when the foam was found to be disintegrating most owners / studios threw them away when they found no replacement parts were available. As mentioned there is a chap on ebay US based in Russia who can supply the smaller ones but can't get anything for the APM6 and again as it appears the speaker waffle also contains similar foam that would need reinstalling / replacement also for a total repair so even if possible would be a considerable cost.
Regards
Mike

Hi everyone - thanks again for the advice and interest shown.

I just wonder what might be best to do - connect it all up switch on and see if it works or find an economical tester that can check the four units over before pressing the on switch! Then either way if I decide to sell I can either say in working condition or fully tested etc. Cost of testing might be a problem for me as only on government pension and things are a bit stretched to say the least I live in South London if recommending a tester.

Appreciate your thoughts

Cheers

Mike

John Caswell is in Wokingham, you can contact him via the World-Designs forum.

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Originally Posted by Ali Tait

John Caswell is in Wokingham, you can contact him via the World-Designs forum.

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Cheers appreciate that contact not too bad a journey from Woolwich thanks

Hi everyone just to say thanks again for all your advice much apprciated.

I've spoken to John - nice chap - and will be arranging to go and see him sometime during the next month for everything to be checked over. He feels that as nothing has been used and being as it is Sony Esprit there probably won't be any problems at all so will post back hear when we know the answer.

I've just had an idea re the speakers as to whether the following might work.

Centre the speaker for in and out movement then get some rubber tubing maybe from a car spares shop around the size of the original foam cross section - run that around the metal speaker outside edge frame then attach and seal using a strong duck tape. Wonder if that might just might do as a temporary repair. Guess the tape wouldn't last that long but you never know and if it did well behind the speaker fret covers who would know - or care!

Regards

Mike

No. Don't touch the speakers. Shagged foam is far better than bodged and shagged.

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Originally Posted by sq225917

No. Don't touch the speakers. Shagged foam is far better than bodged and shagged.

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Well actually very little left of the foam mainly just dust!

Cheers

Still, don't bodge them. Someone who knows what these are will take them as is and sort them out, You won't get as much for them as you would if they were minty mint. But there it is. Any bodging them will only reduce the value.

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Originally Posted by Macca

Still, don't bodge them. Someone who knows what these are will take them as is and sort them out, You won't get as much for them as you would if they were minty mint. But there it is. Any bodging them will only reduce the value.

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I guess you are right

Thanks

Very interesting post, I have always been fascinated by the Esprit range.

I have the TAE900 s/n 600001 as new and boxed !

Also have 5 x TAN900 all as new and boxed.

And 2 x TAN901. TAD900. SEP900.

Also have 5 of the wooden cabinets TAC90 TAC91 boxed and unused, probably one of the only new ones left in the world!

Hopefully will have time one day to do some photos and information.

Still looking for a pair of APM6 speakers and PSX9 turntable.

Regards

Andy in Bristol

Hi Mike

Were the APM6 speakers repaired?

Did you sell the Sony Esprit equipment?

Regards

Andy

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Originally Posted by Dr_techno

Still looking for a pair of APM6 speakers and PSX9 turntable.

Regards

Andy in Bristol

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Your best bets for a PS-X9 are keeping an eye out on eBay Europe or Hi-Fi Do in Japan. Hi-Fi Do's website allows you to set up alerts so that they email you when an item corresponding to your alert comes in - this is how I found mine.

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Originally Posted by Beobloke

Your best bets for a PS-X9 are keeping an eye out on eBay Europe or Hi-Fi Do in Japan. Hi-Fi Do's website allows you to set up alerts so that they email you when an item corresponding to your alert comes in - this is how I found mine.

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Thanks

Yes always watch eBay, not done Hifi do yet.

But would like a 220v PS X9 if possible rather than jap 100v one.

Do you have any photos of your X9 ?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by spendorman

Interesting that you mention Rolex, I was given a Tudor and had no idea what it was for many years.

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To me, the name Tudor sounds cheap.
Don’t ask me why.
It just does...

My father was a watchmaker and when my twin brother and I were 14 he gave us both a
Russian watch.
Mine lasted for many years.
Timex watches he sold were very good, too.

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Originally Posted by Martyn Miles

To me, the name Tudor sounds cheap.
Don’t ask me why.
It just does...

My father was a watchmaker and when my twin brother and I were 14 he gave us both a
Russian watch.
Mine lasted for many years.
Timex watches he sold were very good, too.

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There was me thinking you were going to say your Dad gave you both a Rolex;)

Hi everyone
Just to let you know i have now sold my fathers unused Esprit equipment.
Thank you all for your help and assistance
Mike

The Sony Esprit system with Sony APM6 speakers is now fully up and running after 35 years in boxes!

Sounds incredible!!

But restoring the APM6 bass drive units did cost a fortune!!

gave my mate an esprit tt. it is very good.. looks great that setup

Yes the speakers can be repaired, square foam surrounds are available now.

I can't guess values, but looking through completed sales of similar on ebay may be useful.

I'd think members here may well be interested, Sony gear is popular.

The MC2000 should really be sold separately.

The surrounds are not available for APM6 bass units.

APM77 surrounds are 1cm too small, so we needed to extend them.

Still cost almost £2000 to get these 2 bass units upto spec!!!

But worth it! It is incredible how accurate and focused the bass is on these APM units.

I am designing some solid floor stands for them now.

Refurbished APM6 drive unit.

Required a lot of work, including re-alignment, re spraying, gluing of flat cone, etc.

Attachment 23374

Wow these will be proper APMs they would have sold to audiophiles in their home market right?

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Originally Posted by Dr_techno

Refurbished APM6 drive unit.

Required a lot of work, including re-alignment, re spraying, gluing of flat cone, etc.

Attachment 23374

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Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

So beautiful. I love the speaker. Well done for the refurb. Truly remarkable what can be achieved when you want to do it.