The Watering Hole

For those of you who don't have a "good" stereo system, it is almost shocking to see what you can pick up some nice "low to mid end of the high end" gear for , on ebay.  I scored an Adcom full feature pre-amp  with a good phono stage (you guys remember those black vinyl album things, right?)  for $55 SHIPPED.  I've have an Adcom GFA 535 amp and I've seen them go for under $100!  I have a highly modified Hafler DH 110 preamp and DH 220 amp.  I've seen stock DH110s go for under $100 and the amps for only a little over $100.  For reference, I spent almost $500 for each new (stock).  So you can get $1000 with of pre and power amps for around the price of a cheap receiver.  

Oh, not into that lame stereo stuff anymore?  I saw an Adcom Preamp with 5.1 surround go for under $100 today!  Take that, mix in a couple 535, 545 or 555 amps, and you have a high end surround system.

A guy could put together the best stereo system he's ever heard for pennys on the dollar.  

I (like many others) have realized that high-end stereos are simply no longer needed or useful (except if you're trying to impress others who really don't care anyway).

I've sold most of my gear and everyone enjoys my several smaller setups that I can plug my iPods into.

This means that you can pick up really decent gear very cheaply.  I just had to sell my NEW $1,600 Yamaha amp for only $400 (it was shipped up here new, but I never did get a room set up to use it - I also sold my Sound Dynamic speakers that I got from Mark's friends).  To be honest, I don't miss any of this stuff!

this was simply a heads up to those who might have always wanted a really good system but never wanted to spend that kind of money.  When you can buy Adcom and Hafler stuff cheaper than a new Pioneer receiver, it SHOULD be interesting to many people.  

Even in this circle of musicians here, for example, someone whose main focus is recording, could get a nice pre, power amp, and a good set of speakers and have a way better playback/system than the powered monitors most people use, for less money.  

Just sayin   8-)