What happened to the used Emotiva prices?

[milsap195]

Is it just me or have the used Emotiva prices gone in the crapper. I would have thought that with Emotiva's new one price( no sales) pricing model along with the gen 2 price hikes that the used prices would have gone up. It has been just the opposite. When I started buying Emo products it was a big draw that the used market was really good and you could move items, now you taking a beating especially on gen 1 products. The forum has avoided the gen 1 vs gen 2 questions like the plague, to me why would you pay a premium for the gen 2 stuff when nobody will say that it is better. What do you guys think?

[jlafrenz]

I feel like the used prices have gone up. Having been around a while, I remember what some of the original X series pricing was. It seems that a used amp goes for almost what the original pricing was at times. My basis is a bit different than yours since you are comparing it to Gen 2 equipment.

One thing I do notice about used gear is there can be a anywhere from a $50-100 swing on pricing for the same piece of equipment here. Some pieces you can buy and sell without losing a dime and others you may have to give away.

[macromicroman]

It could be that most people now already have the stuff they want. The rest have not heard of Emotiva so do not want their products. I also think, like you said, most people don't really care if it says Gen 2 on their amps. Maybe everyone is saving up to buy the XMC-1 and don't have extra money.

[Boomzilla]

Is the Gen. 2 stuff better than Gen. 1? I'll speak to that. Yes it is, BUT it just isn't THAT much better. Could some tell the difference between a G1 & G2 product in a double-blind test? Maybe, but I doubt it. Therefore IMHO, the G1 products now being sold as "last generation" are some of the very best deals the audio world has ever seen. If you're one who MUST have the latest & greatest, then G2 yourself to your wallet's content. If you're one who cares about the sound rather than audiophile bragging rights, then hold onto your G1 stuff & wait for G3.

That's my opinion, & I'm sticking to it! LOL

[AudioHTIT]

Yes, whether the G2 products are audibly better or not (I don't know), they still represent Emo's latest, best effort, and they have the new cosmetics — some like them, some don't, some care, some don't (I like them). I also think the G1 products have the long history of sales built into their base price, so when people go to buy or sell them the used price is based off this lower starting point.

[mshump]

May 22, 2014 7:30:15 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Is the Gen. 2 stuff better than Gen. 1? I'll speak to that. Yes it is, BUT it just isn't THAT much better. Could some tell the difference between a G1 & G2 product in a double-blind test? Maybe, but I doubt it. Therefore IMHO, the G1 products now being sold as "last generation" are some of the very best deals the audio world has ever seen. If you're one who MUST have the latest & greatest, then G2 yourself to your wallet's content. If you're one who cares about the sound rather than audiophile bragging rights, then hold onto your G1 stuff & wait for G3.

That's my opinion, & I'm sticking to it! LOL

Boomzilla, I do believe you hit the nail on the head !!!

[bootman]

I don't see that much of a change.
Do you expect more than $600 for a gen1 XPA-5 as an example?

That has been pretty much the going rate for a long time.

[Boomzilla]

I'm sure that many will disagree with me, but I hear what I hear. To date, I've owned:

(2) G1 XPA-2 amplifiers
(3) G1 Mini-X amplifiers
(1) G1 USP-1 preamplifier
(1) G1 XSP-1 preamplifier
(1) G2 XSP-1 preamplifier
(1) G1 XPR-2 amplifier
(1) G1 UMC-1 processor
(1) G1 Control Freak (balanced)
(2) G1 Control Freak (unbalanced)
(1) G1 Stealth DC-1 DAC
(1) G1 XDA-1 DAC

and probably more stuff that I've forgotten.

I have also had the opportunity to hear (from my friends):

UPA-2 amplifier
XPA-1L amplifiers
XDA-2 DAC

Does this make me an "expert" on Emotiva gear? NOT BY A LONG SHOT! I'm just an opinionated old geezer who tosses his opinions onto the lounge for the amusement of others. The only value (if any) in what I post is that I say what I hear. Apparently many (most?) DON'T hear what I do, so that alone should warn anyone away from taking my comments too seriously. On that DC-1 for example, I profoundly didn't like it, but the vast (VAST) majority of listeners did. Such is life. What y'all hear doesn't change what I hear, or what I say.

So back to the topic at hand - Yes, anytime a new product comes out, the prices of the discontinued units drop precipitously. In this case, those price drops offer a great opportunity for those willing to buy used.

Cheers - Boomzilla

[GreenKiwi]

I bet one could look back through the emporium for rough used pricing over the years.

I also wish people wouldn't remove their asking prices after a sale.

[knucklehead]

May 22, 2014 7:30:15 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Is the Gen. 2 stuff better than Gen. 1? I'll speak to that. Yes it is, BUT it just isn't THAT much better. Could some tell the difference between a G1 & G2 product in a double-blind test? Maybe, but I doubt it.

If you could hear the difference in casual listening then you certainly could hear the difference in a DBX. IMO you statement contradicts itself. FWIW there is money to be made if you can distinguish one amp from another in a DBX IF you can hear the difference. That guy still has his $10k.

[Boomzilla]

You're right, knucklehead - my statement IS contradictory. I base the "yes it is" on Garbulky's evaluation of the XSP-1, Gen. 2. But come to think of it, he never heard my XSP-1, Gen. 1, so it isn't a valid comparison. He actually said that the XSP-1, Gen. 2 was superior to the USP-1, Gen. 1. So in fact, I don't know at all if the Gen. 2 stuff is truly better. I will say that I heard no significant difference between the XSP-1, Gens. 1 & 2 (both of which I HAVE owned). The difference may be there with the balanced inputs (which I didn't use), but for unbalanced, I found no diff. that I can recall.

And, in our "amplifier shootout" that we had, we found but the slightest differences between the Emotiva amps & the Crown PS400. Used with easy-to-drive speakers, we heard no audible difference at all between the XPA-2 and the Mini-X.

So for my $$, I'll take the used G1 products when available, thanks.

[novisnick]

So, the only other variables would be availability of gen one and the length of warranty remaining.
Would anyone concur?

[kse]

I don't think they've slipped at all. Used ERC-1/2s are still fetching $250-300 and RSP-1/2 & RPA-1/2 are routinely selling for $500+. Those are just a few examples.

[pedrocols]

I think shipment cost should be taken into consideration as well. I have seen many amps here for sale where the buyer has to cover the cost of shipping and that can discourage potential buyers from making the purchase.

[stiehl11]

Just my opinion but sometimes people think their gear is made of gold and should sell for near what they pay for it. While it's their right to ask whatever they want for an item, the higher the price means the longer you have to wait until you find the right Huckleberry. I was recently having a similar discussion with a friend of mine on used (non-hifi) gear; just because it's like new or only 6-months old doesn't mean that you're going to get a ready buyer at 90% of retail. For most (not all) people 10% is simply not a big enough incentive to go 3rd party. Plus, in certain cases, the near-new gear with the near-new price actually becomes more expensive when you account for shipping or travel cost. Furthermore, prices fluctuate with the seasons. Gear moves better at some times, not as well at others. If you're selling at a lull in the market, you won't get as much as when the market is hopping. And, just because some lucky SOB gets $240 for a used XDA-1 doesn't mean that you will too (that Huckleberry done got his XDA-1).

[repeetavx]

May 22, 2014 11:41:42 GMT -5 pedrocols said:

I think shipment cost should be taken into consideration as well. I have seen many amps here for sale where the buyer has to cover the cost of shipping and that can discourage potential buyers from making the purchase.

I've bought a few things off the emporium, and looked at several more. If the item with shipping is within $50-$75 of new, I would rather buy it new.

[milsap195]

I remember when a xpa-2 would sell in a couple of hours, now items are available for days or even weeks. I would check the emporium every other hour for new sales. Another member mentioned that a lot of people are waiting for the jack of all trades xmc-1 and the new tube products and I can see where that has slowed purchases as well. Shipping is no joke now, when I shipped my cherry 180's out to Mr carver for some upgrades in Washington from Kentucky it was over 300 bucks with insurance there and back..... Ouch!!! It keeps getting more expensive. Great points by everyone.

[knucklehead]

May 22, 2014 9:43:55 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

So for my $$, I'll take the used G1 products when available, thanks.

So will I.

[cheapthryl]

Until Emotiva I could not afford new and bought most gear on the used market. With shipping I try not to pay more than 60% and sell for less. I give most gear to friends that can't afford quality when I swap out. From what I've seen other than processors, Most emo products sell for more than 60% of new. Also I am satisfied with my g1 products and see no reason to upgrade.(LMC-1,UMC-1, RPA-1, XPA-5, UPA-2, DC-1, XDA-1, XPS-1, Sherbourn PRE-1, UOM-6.2)