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In Reply to: RE: Help me pick SET monoblocks posted by RGA on August 22, 2017 at 21:20:11:
OTO Phono SE integrated amplifier carries an MSRP (as of October 2016) of $3,736US.Back in 2003 a buyer would have likely paid ~$2,100-2,300 depending how they negotiated. Audio Note typically comes down 10-15% from retail MSRP
A person who bought one in 2003 as I did can sell their unit for between $2,000-$2300 depending how patient they are to sell. They would get their money back, or very close or a little more.
Using inflation calculator for the US MSRP (2003 OTO was around ~$2,800 MSRP back then) in today's money would be $3,725. Which is quite close to the $3736 of so called aggressive price hiking of $11 in 15 years. So much for the ridiculous price hike argument.
This is why this is a great deal all around. The OTO owner enjoys his/her amp for 15 years and gets his money back. The second hand buyer is happy to buy a $3736 amp for $2200. AN owner loses nothing - second hand buyer loses nothing since they can enjoy the OTO for 2 years and get their money back in full as well. So BOTH the original owner pays net zero and so does the second hand buyer.
This is the same scenario with my AN J speakers back in 2003 it was around the same price as the Reference 3a MM De Capo. In 2016 I sold the AN J (I believe to the OP) and sold it for more than I paid - around $420 more than I paid. The speaker price rose both with inflation and due to a huge rise in the price of silver wiring AND AN went to a superior cabinet manufacturer using more expensive cabinet and new maker in 2009. But the point is as a CUSTOMER - I lost nothing. And neither will the second hand buyer. In fact, since I was in a hurry to sell, the second hand buyer may still make a profit as well.
Had I instead spent the same money in 2003 on the Reference 3a MM De Capo and sold it in 2016 I would have LOST ~$1500 instead of gaining $420 (a net overall loss of $1920).
The De Capo in HK second hand store was selling for $700 Canadian($550 US). I use the MM De Capo as an example because it is a speaker that has more or less the same designation over time. Both speakers have improved over time but the AN J/Spe didn't change model names at all while the De Capo has changed to MM DeCapo (i) and MM De Capo (Be). The AN J/SPe went from Russian birch front and back with an MDF wrap on the sides and top to all Russian Birch and the internal silver litz had a few strands I think from 17 to 19 strands. The cabinet also went from 13 ply to 15ply no void Russian Birch. It also added a hemp driver but the paper version is still available. The current AN J/SPE with paper woofer carries a US list price of $4,898. ($6,000 CAD)
The reason I use this as an example is because at first I thought like another poster that AN sure has raised their prices over the years. But using inflation calculators the price has been fairly tied to inflation over the years and in fact in many cases are now lower than they should be with regards to inflation depending which product.
But as an AN owner who bought brand new you tend to win. Why? the price goes up AND the model doesn't change then the second hand value will reflect it. Now, you MUST keep the thing for a long period of time - say 10 years. Obviously if you buy an M3 now you will lose but in 10 years with the cost of inflation rising and the future 2017 M3's price continues to rise and rise it very likely means when you sell it you will get at least what you paid now for it(or you will lose less than if you buy virtually any other preamp for the same money).
IF however, I buy (enter 99.99% of any other $11,000 preamp on the audio market) and look at 2027 - what will likely happen over that time is the competing company will have dropped their preamp from the line-up (either completely or come out with a new model number and designation). If either of those two things happen then you will be lucky to sell the preamp for $4,000 (you lose $7,000 (AN owner loses nothing). If the competing amplifier doesn't sell very well (or any other reason) and the company keeps it in the line and doesn't raise prices the same thing happens. If in 2027 it is still $11,000 no one will buy a used one if they can buy a new one for the same money. So you still don't get what you paid though you might get $8,000 because at least it is still a current model. But this is fairly rare.
When a model changes model numbers, names or adds versions you lose more money. An example is Paradigm - they come out with the Paradigm 100V2 and it was $2200. 3-5 years later they bring out Paradigm 100V3 and the price is $2500. (PS IMO it didn't sound as good) but it's the NEW and improved model. The V2's resale value is crushed. It's not the same speaker anymore. The perception is well the V2 needed to be improved - something must be wrong with it. So you see them for $1000 and dropping down to under $600 now with V5 and V6 out. And this is a major brand name loudspeaker.What is required is time, model numbers that don't change, and the inevitable price rise due to inflation on the newer models.
And the product has to be desirable. It helps that it is hand made, has a huge reputation, is highly regarded around the world and has extensively deep and numerous reviews (not just nice reviews but actually purchased in high numbers by reviewers).
Edits: 08/29/17 08/29/17
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Follow Ups
- A little research on price - RGA 16:44:35 08/29/17 (0)
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