I realize that the vast majority of people want the best they can get for the least they have to spend. There are a few things you should consider when purchasing 'Used' or 'Pre-Enjoyed' audio gear: * Have you got to 'test drive' the product or get told ' I just Unhooked but it was working perfectly' It only takes a few minutes to wire something up if it is in excellent working condition as described. I have an area set up for clients e out and look through what I have, don't be afraid to look and touch, to mix and match, to listen to a few things if you want. * Bring your own pieces to run with the ones you are interested in to see if they work together like you want. * I would be a bit wary of anyone that wants to meet somewhere away from their residence and claims what they are selling is mint and works like new without you actually hearing it or seeing it in operation. Used is Used, unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there selling their failing or non working gear to someone they will never see again and have no trouble looking at themselves in the mirror after they have done it. I have been servicing other peoples electronics and it truly surprises me how much is brought here that was purchased with the understanding it was in perfect working condition before it was sold and the previous owner claims it must have been the new owner that damaged it. * Understand that things degrade over time, foam speaker surrounds are one of them. They may look great and sound great when you purchased them, but, a few weeks later the speakers start rattling. You now have to replace parts on top of what you just paid for your 'new to you' speakers. * Be wary of speakers that have been serviced by the owner, the alignment of the voice coil to the magnet is very important when the surrounds are replaced. If it is out even a little it will affect the sound quality. If the surrounds have been replaced ask about who did the work and if there is warranty on the work. * A NOTE about crossovers and people that claim they have 'Upgraded' the crossovers by replacing electrolytic capacitors with polyester versions. While Polyester 'caps' are a better capacitor in theory to their electrolytic brothers, in an audio crossover design that does not make them a better choice. Send an email to Bowers and Wilkins, KEF, Paradigm, any of the big manufacturers asking them about upgrading caps in crossovers and they will tell you their own crossover designs may use a mix of Electrolytic and Polyester Capacitors because in the audio world an electrolytic capacitor just plain does a better job for filtering, it has nothing to do with saving money, it does have to do with ending up with the reproduction the designers were aiming for. * ponents degrade over time, the higher the quality, the less likelihood of a problem. * Capacitors drying out in amplifier output circuits can cause shorts usually shutting down amplifiers by tripping circuit breakers or blowing fuses. These are not that expensive to replace and usually are well worth the expense of having done in an older higher end amplifiers. * Capacitors drying out in speaker crossover networks mostly affect the crossover frequencies applied to the drivers and generally do not cause drivers to fail, it either narrows or widens the frequency range going to a driver * It is much easier to burn out speakers using a low powered amplifier and over-driving it than it is to burn speakers out from overpowering them with a high powered amplifier. * * The term 'Mint Condition' is used quite a lot ..... mint condition means 'right off the production line' and does not correctly describe anything 'used' unless it has been 'fully restored' by a professional. * Use copper wiring for speakers, Not copper clad aluminum(CCA) wire as it does not conduct near as well as solid copper. 18gauge wire should be the smallest you use. I use and used 16gauge 'lamp cord' as long as 50ft in current projects and doing dances many decades ago and never have had any trouble burning out any drivers even running several hundred watts per channel RMS amplifiers into them. * Do some research yourself to see if what you are told or described is in line with what several sources say. * I would suggest it is better to pay a bit more for something taken care of or has already had service work done to try to ensure you enjoy your new toys for years e. * If you have questions, ask them, fortable with what you are trying to plish. * There are a few knowledgeable people out there, there are unfortunately, a lot more people that think they know more than they actually do and do not have any trouble giving bad advice or their opinions, then disappearing into the woodwork when the bad advice they have given goes wrong. * Just because someone describes themselves as an 'Audiophile' does not mean they are experts. * Common Sense is not so Common anymore * * Contrary to popular belief, Engineers DO NOT have all the answers. * * Please remember that some brand new or seldom used older gear that has been sitting may work for years without troubles, or, it also may develop small troubles simply from lack of use. There is no warranty es with my gear no matter the condition unless I state it clearly in the ad. That being said if a piece of gear develops some troubles, give me a call and let me see if I can help you out. I like to think that I am a reasonable person within reason. * There is no cure for misuse and abuse or just plainly being a 'Dumbass'. If you are unsure about how something wires up or works Ask Questions!! There is nothing more frustrating that talking with someone who was too proud to ask for assistance, but, instead wires up something wrong, burns or blows it up then attempts to blame their own mistakes on someone else.