Bargains on ebay?

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08-07-2012, 20:50
nat8808

I'd like to have a look around this guys house!

Audio Note Ongaku Kondo

Quote:

This is the second one I have owned...

Gulp!
08-07-2012, 20:59
MartinT

Mad. Think of the entire system you could build for £65k.
08-07-2012, 21:56
Marco

Audio Note Wankagu

Obscenely over-priced hi-fi wankery for clueless cock-jockeys!

Marco.
08-07-2012, 22:28
southall-1998

Some lucky bastard got a bargain.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...#ht_638wt_1185
09-07-2012, 07:37
Beobloke

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy6206

Yes I'm watching it ;)

So why didn't you bid then? It would have saved me the cost of having to ship it to Norway, which I underestimated by £15! :doh:
09-07-2012, 07:56
Spur07

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinT

Mad. Think of the entire system you could build for £65k.

you'd want a demo first before committing yourself :lol:

Not far from either of us Martin, why dont we contact the seller and pop over for a listen - it is after all the 'best amp ever'. Fancy having the pressure of justifying that tag? why doesn't he just start it at 99p and see what happens.
09-07-2012, 08:54
MartinT

LOL - I can't believe he's going to get a bid on that starting price anyway, Paul.
09-07-2012, 12:22
tommy6206

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beobloke

So why didn't you bid then? It would have saved me the cost of having to ship it to Norway, which I underestimated by £15! :doh:

Hi Adam I didnt know it was you selling it.My cd player packed up and thought I might have to replace that but got it working again but too late by then. Shame..
09-07-2012, 13:40
Ali Tait

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Obscenely over-priced hi-fi wankery for clueless cock-jockeys!

Marco.

Have you ever heard one mate?
09-07-2012, 14:04
MartinT

I've heard some of the top AN amps, Ali. I would categorise them as low powered specialist amps with great spacious sound but lacking in welly. They need sympathetic partnering speakers, with which they can be superb but not to my taste.

I would value them at 1/10 of that price, which I think is fair. Any more than that and you are paying for the brand.
09-07-2012, 23:03
Marco

Indeed, Martin. Hearing such amps doesn't really come into it.

The fact is that NO amplifier (or anything in audio) deserves having a price tag of £65,000 (or more), as at that level we're simply not dealing with SPPV.

It's much more about desirability and exclusivity, and owning something which is perceived as being 'for the select few'; namely those with more money than sense :doh:

For the record, I could walk out tomorrow and buy a £65,000 amplifier, in cash, but my desire to obtain value for money and my common sense would prevent me from acting like a gullible idiot! ;)

Man, I'd love to have been present when Audio Note arrived at pricing the Wankagu - how they must have laughed.....

Marco.
09-07-2012, 23:13
Marco

And now for a REAL bargain:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tannoy-Kin...item27c8eee451

:stalks: :eek:

Marco.
10-07-2012, 05:50
prestonchipfryer

Some help may be needed to lift them! :D
10-07-2012, 07:46
sq225917

NOT A BARGAIN.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Shi...06%26rk%3D1%26

Seller has had cartridge modded, the fixed capacitors on the cartridge that set the loading have been removed and different lead out wires have been fixed in place. I asked him about it and he swerved the question, replied privately and then refused to put the answer in the listing.

That strikes me as a little dishonest.
10-07-2012, 08:43
jaym481

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

And now for a REAL bargain:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tannoy-Kin...item27c8eee451

:stalks: :eek:

Marco.

I'm always leery of something that high value that uses pictures taken from the internet. Maybe I should ask if I can check them out in person?
10-07-2012, 10:46
prestonchipfryer

Quote:

Originally Posted by sq225917

NOT A BARGAIN.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Roksan-Shi...06%26rk%3D1%26

Seller has had cartridge modded, the fixed capacitors on the cartridge that set the loading have been removed and different lead out wires have been fixed in place. I asked him about it and he swerved the question, replied privately and then refused to put the answer in the listing.

That strikes me as a little dishonest.

Who are they trying to kid! Baloney.
10-07-2012, 11:56
RobbieGong

Quote:

Originally Posted by prestonchipfryer

Who are they trying to kid! Baloney.

95.7% positive feedback - 3 negatives :rolleyes: enough said !
10-07-2012, 12:02
RobbieGong

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Indeed, Martin. Hearing such amps doesn't really come into it.

The fact is that NO amplifier (or anything in audio) deserves having a price tag of £65,000 (or more), as at that level we're simply not dealing with SPPV.

It's much more about desirability and exclusivity, and owning something which is perceived as being 'for the select few'; namely those with more money than sense :doh:

For the record, I could walk out tomorrow and buy a £65,000 amplifier in cash, but my desire to obtain value for money and my common sense would prevent me from acting like a gullible idiot! ;)

Man, I'd love to have been present when Audio Note arrived at pricing the Wankagu - how they must have laughed.....

Marco.

Really :eek: Well just for the record, I love you intensely Marco !, It's my birthday in November and all I want is a Mike New Composite Platter and a funk arm :lol:
10-07-2012, 13:01
maxweber

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieGong

Really :eek: Well just for the record, I love you intensely Marco !, It's my birthday in November and all I want is a Mike New Composite Platter and a funk arm :lol:

Birthday wishes In advance :)
10-07-2012, 13:01
prestonchipfryer

Now that's what I call optimistic.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/now-thats-...item33787e6d9a

There's quite a few on ethingy at high prices. :scratch:
10-07-2012, 15:56
Marco

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieGong

Really :eek: Well just for the record, I love you intensely Marco !, It's my birthday in November and all I want is a Mike New Composite Platter and a funk arm :lol:

Noted. I'll pass the details to my business partner S. Claus, in plenty of time for Christmas! :D

Marco.
10-07-2012, 18:36
Joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Indeed, Martin. Hearing such amps doesn't really come into it.

The fact is that NO amplifier (or anything in audio) deserves having a price tag of £65,000 (or more), as at that level we're simply not dealing with SPPV.

At what price point would you say SPPV ceases to apply; ie the law of diminishing returns means spending more ceases to bring about worthwhile improvements?
10-07-2012, 21:07
RobbieGong

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Noted. I'll pass the details to my business partner S. Claus, in plenty of time for Christmas! :D

Marco.

:D you witty so and so :lol:
11-07-2012, 07:55
Marco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

At what price point would you say SPPV ceases to apply; ie the law of diminishing returns means spending more ceases to bring about worthwhile improvements?

It's a difficult one, Joe. I tend to buy equipment from small, specialist manufacturers, with very low overheads, so the SPPV of their products is disproportionately high, compared with equipment from larger more commercial manufacturers, with far greater overheads.

Taking my Tube Distinctions Copper amp, as an example, which cost me £5k, this is hand-built from scratch, fully hard-wired, and fitted with highest quality bespoke parts and hand-wound transformers, so how much would this cost if it were made by a company like Audio Note? Perhaps £30k?

Sonically, I'd certainly put it up against other high-end amps around that sort of price, ditto my (highly modded) Croft preamp, although it has cost me a little less.

To answer your question, I guess that for bespoke equipment from small manufacturers, I'd say somewhere between £5-10K, depending on the type of equipment concerned, and commercial stuff somewhere between £15-£25k, perhaps a bit more for certain turntables and speakers, but at the top end of that price bracket the equipment concerned would have to be very special indeed!!

Marco.
11-07-2012, 14:42
thebeathunters

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Man, I'd love to have been present when Audio Note arrived at pricing the Wankagu - how they must have laughed.....

Marco.

:) yeah me too! as there's a sucker born every minute...
can you tell more about these ugly, huge and certainly sweet Tannoys?
:D
11-07-2012, 16:45
sq225917

Thing is though, that Kondo amp is solid silver all the way through, all capacitors and the output transformers, there's several KG of the stuff in there and that's where a lot of the price comes. There's several k of silver in there, add the 10x retail multiplier and away you go.
11-07-2012, 17:28
Joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

It's a difficult one, Joe. I tend to buy equipment from small, specialist manufacturers, with very low overheads, so the SPPV of their products is disproportionately high, compared with equipment from larger more commercial manufacturers, with far greater overheads.

Taking my Tube Distinctions Copper amp, as an example, which cost me £5k, this is hand-built from scratch, fully hard-wired, and fitted with highest quality bespoke parts and hand-wound transformers, so how much would this cost if it were made by a company like Audio Note? Perhaps £30k?

Sonically, I'd certainly put it up against other high-end amps around that sort of price, ditto my Croft preamp, although it cost me a little less.

To answer your question, I guess that for bespoke equipment from small manufacturers, I'd say somewhere between £5-10K, depending on the type of equipment concerned, and commercial stuff somewhere between £15-£25k, perhaps a bit more for certain turntables and speakers, but at the top end of that price bracket the equipment concerned would have to be very special indeed!!

Marco.

Thanks Marco.

In most cases, I think it has a lot more to do with a product being 'reassuringly expensive' than with materials/production costs. Plus, if company A puts out a £50k speaker, company B will tend to put out a £55k speaker so as to avoid looking 'cheap' in the derogatory sense.

I do struggle with some of the 'aspirational' pricing that's around, but I guess to some folk even £5k on an amplifier is way OTT!
11-07-2012, 20:13
Marco

Hi Joe,

Quote:

In most cases, I think it has a lot more to do with a product being 'reassuringly expensive' than with materials/production costs. Plus, if company A puts out a £50k speaker, company B will tend to put out a £55k speaker so as to avoid looking 'cheap' in the derogatory sense.

I think you're absolutely right, and no doubt that goes on, too!

Quote:

I do struggle with some of the 'aspirational' pricing that's around, but I guess to some folk even £5k on an amplifier is way OTT!

The "aspirational pricing" thing irritates me because I find it all rather vulgar.

Marco.
11-07-2012, 20:29
Ali Tait

Quote:

Originally Posted by sq225917

Thing is though, that Kondo amp is solid silver all the way through, all capacitors and the output transformers, there's several KG of the stuff in there and that's where a lot of the price comes. There's several k of silver in there, add the 10x retail multiplier and away you go.

My thoughts too, though I've never heard one.
11-07-2012, 20:29
Mr Kipling

Quote:

Originally Posted by sq225917

Thing is though, that Kondo amp is solid silver all the way through, all capacitors and the output transformers, there's several KG of the stuff in there and that's where a lot of the price comes. There's several k of silver in there, add the 10x retail multiplier and away you go.

And it's Italian! (output transformers)

So it not only sounds good - it looks good too!
11-07-2012, 20:32
Marco

Hi Simon,

Quote:

Thing is though, that Kondo amp is solid silver all the way through, all capacitors and the output transformers, there's several KG of the stuff in there and that's where a lot of the price comes. There's several k of silver in there, add the 10x retail multiplier and away you go.

Sure, experience tells me you're right, and it also tells me that solid silver doesn't necessarily sound better than the purest quality solid copper, but it's a great way of giving a product increased 'cachet', as well as beefing up the price tag!

The 10X retail multiplier, although 'the norm', is sheer greed, too :rolleyes:

Marco.
11-07-2012, 20:58
Ali Tait

Well, the best output transformers I've heard have been silver, definitely a cut above any of the coppers I've heard.
11-07-2012, 21:03
Marco

I don't doubt it, Ali, but it's not a magic bullet, like some people think.

Much depends on other things. I've just rejected an all-silver wound SUT for a (very high quality) copper one, which was undoubtedly sonically superior.

Marco.
11-07-2012, 21:20
Mr Kipling

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

Hi Simon,

Sure, experience tells me you're right, and it also tells me that solid silver doesn't necessarily sound better than the purest quality solid copper, but it's a great way of giving a product increased 'cachet', as well as beefing up the price tag!

The 10X retail multiplier, although 'the norm', is sheer greed, too :rolleyes:

Marco.

Think there could be more to it than that:

http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/so...s/2/ongaku.htm

http://www.nutshellhifi.com/triode1.html
11-07-2012, 22:08
The Grand Wazoo

The current spot price of silver is US$27.118 per troy ounce. (HSBC at 12:07 today)
There are 32.15 troy ounces in a kg.

That makes silver worth US$871.84 per kg
12-07-2012, 06:25
MartinT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

At what price point would you say SPPV ceases to apply; ie the law of diminishing returns means spending more ceases to bring about worthwhile improvements?

For a power amplifier? My Chord SPM-1200E now lists at £7,500 and I consider it to be excellent SPPV considering its build quality, its longevity and reliability (I've had it for over 10 years), and finally the sound quality it has given me. I haven't wanted more since I bought it. Consider it to be an alternative viewpoint for those who want a solid state device rather than valves (although I like both).

After all, I have to uphold my SS moniker :)
12-07-2012, 17:48
Richardl

Looks like a bargain for someone, but it's a bit of a gamble I suppose.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MADRIGAL-P...item4ab988c78f
12-07-2012, 19:09
sq225917

And Kondo claim there is 10kg of silver in the Gakuon. 8k worth...
12-07-2012, 21:31
Wakefield Turntables

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardl

Looks like a bargain for someone, but it's a bit of a gamble I suppose.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MADRIGAL-P...item4ab988c78f

I had a cheeky punt on this and it ended at 362 quid, blimey :eek:
14-07-2012, 15:26
The Grand Wazoo

This one's shaping up to being a real bargain!
14-07-2012, 15:55
Audio Al

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Grand Wazoo

This one's shaping up to being a real bargain!

Better up my bid to £2K just in case I get outbid :mental:
14-07-2012, 17:47
RobbieGong

bloody 'eck :eek: , never heard of this but must be some seriously rare and good music ! (I'm just thinking of the upgrades I could get with that dough. Heaven forbid the tune could warp or scratch! )
14-07-2012, 18:26
The Grand Wazoo

Do you want to see if it's worth that kind of lolly?
It's available on Grooveshark so you can try before you buy!!

http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Heavy+Petting/3961838
15-07-2012, 12:01
wiicrackpot

Spotted these when it was just posted, sorely tempted and by the time i phoned to enquire hours later, it was sold to someone in Edinburgh,
dealer i guess as it's the second time someone from the east coast has came through with a van and grabbed the lot,
i would've snapped them up no doubt if i hadn't thought about how to justify another pair of speakers, keen to see how much he moves them on for,
incidently the Tannoys are available in another ad put up the same time.
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/im...kers/106664146

wii.
15-07-2012, 18:58
Jonboy

Just watched this finish, it doubled in price in the last 2 seconds, nice thing though
15-07-2012, 21:02
Alex_UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Just watched this finish, it doubled in price in the last 2 seconds, nice thing though

So did this - NOT HiFi, but one of my "holy grail" items for my collection (it is the orange colour that is important) - though I wasn't prepared to pay that much! :eek:
15-07-2012, 21:35
Barry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Just watched this finish, it doubled in price in the last 2 seconds, nice thing though

They were a good amp in their day, though the oscilloscope feature, amongst others, was superfluous. Not really worth £840, £500 tops IMO. But that's ebay for you.
16-07-2012, 17:22
Jonboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry

They were a good amp in their day, though the oscilloscope feature, amongst others, was superfluous. Not really worth £840, £500 tops IMO. But that's ebay for you.

The first one i saw was at Scalford this year i lusted after it, yes i think that you are probably right for the value but as you say "that's ebay for you"
20-07-2012, 18:17
tannoy man

Nice

/itm/Direct-Designs-DRS1-Turntable-Mayware-Formula-4-Arm-Great-Condition-Classic-/120948194065?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3D PI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D15%26 ps%3D63%26clkid%3D745695063209341092#
20-07-2012, 18:28
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_UK

So did this - NOT HiFi, but one of my "holy grail" items for my collection (it is the orange colour that is important) - though I wasn't prepared to pay that much! :eek:

Good God!

I don't really want to think about all the Matchbox cars I had as a kid now. Or what I did with them! :doh:

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