Receiver and Amp depreciation

[RJC]

What is the rate of depreciation on Amps and Receivers. I realize that it depends on the manufacturer as well as the condition, but what is the general rule of thumb? 10% per year, 15%?

 

[GranteedEV]

it mostly depends on the progression of the industry. A 5.1 analog receiver will depreciate like crazy while 7.1 HDMI 1.3 receiver with audessey should hold a good bit of its value. Just test the market.

 

[darien87]

Amps can hold their value pretty well depending on the brand and desirability. I've seen 20 year old amps that aren't made any more sell for a pretty penny.

 

[JerryLove]

The depriciation will be different when you first buy over later. Beyond that, there's no single answer. What did the manufacturer do the next year to pricing? Is a news model out? Is it better? Cheaper? Is his a classic or instant has been?

 

[jostenmeat]

It's not even funny how much faster processors depreciate than amps do. Both of them will take an initial hit in value when the first owner buys it, and intends to quickly sell it, but after that, the depreciation on amps is much slower (if at all after a certain point). Processors OTOH, sheesh, my guess is a solid 20% depreciation per year, for I don't know how many years. Let's see, so someone tell me if I'm off here, but if an Integra 9.8 cost 1.6k three years ago, then in '08 it's $1280, in '09 it's $1024, and this year it would then be $820. *Goes to check Audiogon*. Maybe I'm right, I see several, and they are at $800, $900, $825, $1000. That is an average asking* price of $881.

 

[sterling shoote]

The only thing that's expensive is a mistake. First, buy what you can afford, spend more and you could be finding yourself dragging around too much guilt to ever be happy. You'll pick apart what you bought. Second, if it's a quality product you're likely to be satisfied with it long after the product becomes obsolete. Amps, analog preamps, speakers, turntables could outlast you, that's to say, not become obsolete in your lifetime. What may stop anything however is the availability of parts. My most prized audio possession is a pair of Sony PCM-7010F DAT recorders. These 16 year old recorders have been obsolete for at least 5 years now; yet, Sony still services them; and, I'm still getting lots of satisfaction from them. What I'll do when I can't get them fixed, I don't know. In the big picture it's not anything to worry about. If you are a compulsive/obsessive personality, audio/video is a hobby which, in addition to being a distraction, can be destructive too. Put things in their proper place, with a selfless perspective, and you'll enjoy everything a whole lot more.

 

[markw]

There really is no "rule of thumb" you can count on. I think Sterling had the right idea. You buy the best you can that suits your needs and use it until it no longer meets that criteria. That way, you'll always get your money's worth out of it.

It's like a car you buy to get to and from work. Just because the latest model is shiner and has a few more features, they one you already has still meets the needs you required when you bought it.

The one caveat to the above statement is if one of your criteria is to have the latest greatest feature on the market, whether it adds to the sound or not. In that case, it'll be obsolete in a matter of months and you'll be selling at a loss frequently to someone else who realizes that.