The Budget Audiophiler: The Hunt for Vintage Audio and How to Buy It

Written By: 
Jeremy Sikora
Tags: 
Share:
  •  

A fully comprehensive guide to buying vintage audio from ecoustics’ Budget Audiophiler.

After reading the first two installments of my column, I’m sure it’s become obvious that I have a penchant for used and vintage audio. With the exception of a new phono cartridge that I recently added from Audio-Technica, I have never purchased a new piece of home audio equipment. Not ever. We did take the home theater plunge at one point, but the room was not well suited for all of those loudspeakers and we gave it away.

That being said, I have sourced used and vintage audio from almost every place imaginable. We’re going to go on a bit of a buying road trip this week in search of audio treasure but also discuss some of the important ground rules when you decide to take this path to audio nirvana. 

Vintage and used high-end audio sounds like a really good idea to people; aside from the cost savings (although the prices for some used high-end components can be extremely high), people crave nostalgia. Not all nostalgia is all that it is cracked up to be, however. There are plenty of lemons in the vintage category. You need to do your legwork.

Before we hit the road, let’s talk about used audio equipment.

Remember to use your common sense when purchasing used electrical equipment. Always test the equipment if you can, and with a level of knowledge about the product or you’ll end up with an expensive doorstop. Just because it looks expensive, doesn’t mean that the product didn’t suffer a catastrophic malfunction at some point or was dropped during a move. 

Do your research on the component so you know how to test it. If you have no testing skills or desire to learn how to test equipment properly, do not jump when you find a 60 year-old tube amplifier and just plug it into the wall. Older equipment that has not been tested or serviced in decades can be very dangerous. 

What you should be looking for when you find an amplifier or receiver


  • Does it power up and power down properly?
  • Do both channels play? 
  • Do all of the inputs still function? 
  • Does the unit come with working switches, knobs, and buttons? 
  • What is the overall condition of the chassis, faceplate, loudspeaker terminals, power cord or IEC jack?
  • Does the unit smell like smoke or mold?
  • Is there any evidence of leakage inside?
  • Are the power and output transformers in good condition?
  • How secure are the jacks and have any connections broken free inside the chassis? 
  • Does the unit have any bonus features like a working equalizer, phono stage, tape input/output, and a pre-amp output so you can connect the unit to an external power amplifier in the future?
  • If the unit utilizes vacuum tubes, are the sockets properly labelled and clean?


Even if you are comfortable and experienced enough to repair your own equipment, these are all things you need to know before agreeing to a transaction. 

Thorens TD-160 sold on Retrodiggs Instagram

What you should be looking for when you find a turntable

Used or vintage turntables require a lot more investigation and you want to make sure that the following items are addressed before you decide to buy.


  • Does the motor work properly? If the turntable is belt-driven, what is the condition of the pulley?
  • What is the condition of the plinth? Has it suffered any physical damage?
  • What is the condition of the feet and are they adjustable? 
  • Can you remove the platter without much difficulty? 
  • What is the condition of the sub-platter? 
  • Is the bearing in good condition? Once you place the platter on the bearing and give it a free spin, does it seat itself properly? 
  • Are replacement belts available? 
  • How does the turntable allow you to change speeds? Do you have to remove the platter and switch the position of the belt on the pulley, or does the turntable change speeds electronically? 
  • Do all of the switches work? 
  • Does the tonearm work? Does the unit come with instructions for setting the counterweight, and anti-skate? 
  • Does the tonearm come with the proper counterweight or multiple versions for different cartridges?
  • What is the condition of the headshell? It is fixed or removable? What is the condition of the tonearm cable (both at the headshell and output jacks)?
  • Is there a dustcover? 


I know this sounds like a lot of items to investigate when buying a used or vintage turntable, but if you have to fix a lot of these items – it might be cheaper and less frustrating to buy a new one. 

What about loudspeakers?


  • What is the condition of the cabinet? Is it superficial damage or are there physical issues that could affect the sound quality?
  • Is there any water damage or weird smell? Pass on these if there is.
  • What is the condition of the drivers and do they work properly?
  • If any of the drivers are broken, can you find a replacement? 
  • If the surrounds are damaged or brittle, are you willing to refoam them yourself? 
  • What is the condition of the binding posts? 


Where to Buy

There are specialist used high-end and vintage audio dealers, but that’s not our focus for this week as we have something special planned for when it’s safer for us to travel. Ecoustics Editor-in-Chief, Ian White, and I will be visiting some local dealers in New York, and New Jersey – and possibly visiting a factory or two.

High-end audio dealers will almost always have trade-in products but don’t expect too many rare finds that they are giving away. 

One thing I have to mention before we go any further is that bad pictures and poor product descriptions do not mean that a product is not worth considering. 

Bear in mind that a lot of vintage and used equipment has been sitting in basements, garages, attics, and in storage units owned by widows, retirees, and their families. These people might not have any idea what these components are, and they may not consider it important to whip out the DSLR and create photographic montages worthy of Robb Report. 

I’ve purchased some excellent components that were mislabeled as “speakers’ when it was clearly an amplifier. 

So where should you look? 

Ebay


  • Some of the best inventory around
  • Obscure pieces tend to show up quite frequently and the pricing may be advantageous
  • Generous return policy
  • Actual seller feedback (don’t be seduced by a ‘99’ rating – actually read the comments)
  • Fraudulent postings are rare, but they do happen
  • Shipping costs can be expensive
  • Clarify packaging before you bid or pay – if someone claims to have the original boxes, ask for photographic evidence, and demand double-boxing. Reputable dealers selling you something rare and fragile will not balk for even one second at this request.


Craigslist/Facebook Market Place


  • Incredible deals – I’ve made some of my best purchases this way
  • Great way to find regional hi-fi
  • Can be tested before purchase if the seller is close enough to pick the product up
  • Scammers on both platforms (Marantz shipping scam currently rampant)
  • Refreshing the sites constantly for new postings may become addictive


Reverb/Audio Mart/Canuck Audio Mart


  • A lot of inventory from individual sellers, retailers, and collections
  • Easier to find what you’re looking for
  • Prices favor the seller – there are plenty of buyers and your lowball offer will be ignored
  • Shipping costs will be higher


Record Shops

Smart record stores have begun to sell both affordable audio and used/vintage. It only makes sense as they have a captive audience and it’s hard to listen to a record without a turntable. 


  • Opportunity to test the equipment 
  • Some stores will offer a limited warranty 
  • Prices are negotiable (nobody wants things sticking around forever)
  • A great way to support your local store
  • Limited inventory


Social Media

No – not off the guy who called you names on Twitter. 

Instagram and Facebook Groups have proven to be excellent places to find used audio and vintage pieces from individual sellers. Retailers often post items they are trying to sell quickly, and you may find a bargain. 


  • Equipment which caters to specific groups
  • Prices can be negotiated 
  • Can interact with sellers – if someone refuses to answer questions do not proceed
  • Scams can occur (check “Friends” or “Followers” to help validate account)
  • Shipping can be pricey 


Thrift Stores

Goodwill and other Thrift stores can be a great place to find equipment, but they have become much more aware of the market, especially because of the resurgence of vinyl.


  • Incredible deals if you’re lucky 
  • Limited if any stock
  • Market prices as the companies are doing more homework and pricing products accordingly 


Estate and Garage Sales

People tend to liquidate equipment when someone passes away or when they decide to empty the basement or garage. You can visit 10 garage sales in a single day and come away empty-handed or visit a single one and discover gold. It’s a lot of luck. 

Pro tip: Don’t be the kind of person who takes advantage of someone’s grief or financial situation and give them $50 for an amplifier or loudspeaker they could sell for $200 or even more. Actually be a mensch and do the right thing. If you find a working McIntosh amplifier or Thorens TD-125 MKII turntable for $100 – pay them more or let them know that they should sell it to a collector. Karma is a thing. 

If a quality piece of equipment is being sold during a garage sale or estate sale – there is usually something more that might be of interest. Ask!

I hope this helps starts you on your journey to purchasing vintage audio. As your experience builds, you’ll be more comfortable with the hunt. Do your research, look what others are running, ask how they like it, join and participate in audiokarma.org. Look at the “sold” “completed” auctions on eBay to see what market values are. As a beginner, the vintage audio community will always be welcoming and willing to answer questions.

Good luck. 


This article originally appeared at ecoustics.com and has been published here with permission.

Related Articles

Sort By
12th Isle
2020
2022
33rpm
45rpm
4AD
5 Selects
7"
99 Records
A&M
Abbey Lincoln
Aboriginal
Abstract
Ace Tone
Acid
Acid Archives
Acid Folk
Acid House
Acid Punk
Acid rock
Acoustic
Adrian Sherwood
Africa
African
Afro
Afro-Cuban
Afrobeat
Alan Ginsberg
Alan Greenberg
Alan Thicke
Albert Ayler
Alice Coltrane
All Genre
Altec
Amazon Music
Ambient
Ambient Jazz
Amoeba Music
Amplifier
Analog
Anatolian Rock
Andy Warhol
Animation
AOR
Aquarium Drunkard
Archie Shepp
Archival
Art
Art & Design
Art Dudley
Art Film
Art Pop
Art Rock
Artform Radio
Arthur Russell
Article
Arvo Part
Ash Ra Temple
Audiogon
Audiophile
Audiovisual
avant
Avant-Garde
Avant-pop
Avant-Rock
Avent-Garde
Balearic
Bali
Ballad
Bargain Bin
Baroque
Baroque Pop
Basquiat
Bass
Bauhaus
Bayou Funk
BBC
BBC Radiophonic
Beats
Beats in Space
Bebop
Belgium
Bennie Maupin
Berlin-school
Best of 2020
Beverly Glenn​-​Copeland
Bhutan Stamps
Big Band
Bill Laswell
Black Ark Studios
Black Jazz
Blaxsploitation
Blue Note
Blues
Blues Rock
Bob Marley
Bola Sete
Bollywood
Boogie
Book
books
Boredoms
Bossa
Bossa Nova
Brazil
Brazilian Folk
Breakbeat
Breezy
Brian Eno
Bruce Weber
Bruton Music
Buddhism
Budget Audiophiler
Cabaret
Calypso
Cambridge Audio
CAN
Canterbury
Cape Verde
Caribbean
Cartridges
Casio
Cassette
Cats
CD
Chamber Music
Channel One Studios
Chanson
Charles Lloyd
Charles Mingus
Chee Shimizu
Chet Baker
Chicago
Chillout
Choral
Christmas
City Pop
Classic Album Sundays
Classical
Classics
Clothing
Coctueau Twins
Coffee
Commercial
Community
Compass
Compass Point
Compilation
Concept Album
Condesa Electronics
Conny Plank
Contemporary Jazz
Cornelius
Cosmic
Cosmic Disco
Cosmic Folk
Country
Country-Rock
Covers
Cult Classic
Cumbia
DAC
Daft Punk
Dance
Dancehall
Dark
Dark Entries
David Bowie
David Byrne
Davida
Deep Dive
Deep House
Deep Listening
Delia Derbyshire
Demo
Dennis Bovell
Denon
Detroit
Devotional
Diasporic Disco
Dick Verdult
Diggin in the Mags
Disco
Discogs
DIY
DIY / Amateur
DJ
Documentary
Don Buchla
Don Cherry
Donald Byrd
Doom Metal
Downtempo
Dowtempo
Dr. John
Dream House
Dream Pop
Dreamy
Drone
Drum Break
Drum Machine
Drum n Bass
Drums
Dual
Dub
Dub Poetry
dublab
Dubwise
Durutti Column
Düsseldorf School
Eames
Earl King
Early Electronic
East African
Easy Listening
EBM
ECM
ecoustic
ecoustics
Electric Lady
Electro
Electronic
Electronica
Elegant Pop
Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam
Enossified
Environmental Music
EOY
Eric Dolphy
ESG
Esoteric
ESP Institute
Essential Listen
Essential Listening
Essential Listenning
Ethereal
Ethiopian Jazz
Ethnic
Event
Events
Exotica
Experimental
Factory Records
Fela Kuti
Festival
Field recording
Films
Fingertracks
Fingetracks
Fishing with John
Fleetwood Sound Company
Floating
Floating Points
Folk
Folk Funk
Folk-Rock
Fonts
Footwork
Fourth World
France
Free Improvisation
Free Jazz
Friends of ISC
Frippertronics
Fundraiser
Funk
Fusion
G.S. Schray
Gal Costa
Gamelan
Garage Rock
Garrard
Gems from the Dollar Bin
George Martin
Gifts
Gilberto Gil
Glam Rock
Glitch
Gogo
Gospel
Grado
Graphic Novel
Grateful Dead
Group Sounds
Guide
Guitar
Hard Bop
Harold Budd
Harp
Harry Nilsson
Haruomi Hosono
Heavy Metal
Henry Lewy
Herbie Hancock
hi-fi
hi-NRG
Hidden Gem
Highlife
Hip Hop
Hiroshi Yoshimura
history
Holger Czukay
Holiday
Hollywood
Holy Grail
Home Listening
House
Hypnotic
Iasos
Ibiza
IDM
Illustration
Improvisation
Impulse!
In Conversation
In Stock
India
Indian
Indian Classical
Indie
Indie Rock
Industrial
Ingmar Bergman
Installation
Instrumental
International
Interview
ISC Classic
ISC Collection
isc guide
ISC Record Store
ISC Selects
Island Records
Isolation
Italo Disco
Italy
Jackie McLean
Jamaica
James Baldwin
Japan
Japananese
Japanese
Jazz
jazz kissa
Jazz-funk
Jazz-rock
JBL
John Fahey
John Martyn
Jon Hassell
Joni Mitchell
Judee Sill
Jungle
K. Leimer
Kankyo Ongaku
Keith Haring
Keith Jarrett
Kid-Friendly
Kitty Records
Klaus Schulze
Klipsch
Kompakt
Kosmiche
Kosmische
KPM
Kraftwerk
Krautrock
kwaito
L.Shankar
La Monte Young
Labels We Love
Lafawndah
Lagniappe Sessions
Laraaji
Larry Levan
Last Resort
Laswell
Latin
Latin Jazz
Laurel Canyon
Laurie Spiegel
Leaving Records
Lebanese
Lee Scratch Perry
Left-field
Leftfield
Lena Horne
Les Baxter
Lester Bowie
Library
Library Music
Liquid Liquid
Listening bar
Live Performance
Live Recording
Los Angeles
Lost & Sound
lost and sound
Louisiana Blues
Lounge
Lounge Lizards
Love Songs
Lovefingers
Lovely Music Ltd.
Lovers Rock
Luaka Bop
Mad Professor
Magazine
Marantz
Marcel Duchamp
Marcos Valle
mbaqanga
McIntosh
Meditation
Meditative
Melancholic
Mellow
Melody As Truth
Meredith Monk
Metal
Michael Franks
Mid-Century
Miles Davis
Milford Graves
Mills College
Minako Yoshida
Minimal
Minneapolis Sound
Mixes
Mixtape
Mizell Brothers
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs
Modal
Modern Classical
Modern Soul
Modular Synthesis
Moki Cherry
Mono
Mort Garson
Motown
MPB
MTV
Munich
Music Blog
Music from Memory
Music Interior
Music Therapy
Music Video
Mwandishi
Narrative
Neptunes
New Age
New Music
New Wave
New York
News
Nico
Nina Simone
No Wave
Noise
Non-Profit
Northern Soul
Now Sound
NTS
Nubian Pop
Nubian Soul
Numero Group
NYC
OBI
Obscure
Obscure Sound
On Screen
On-U Sound
online radio
Opera
Organic
Organic Music
Ornette Coleman
Ortofon
Oswalds Mill Audio
Outsider Pop
Overtone Singing
Painting
Painting with John
Pandit Pran Nath
Paradise Garage
Pastoral
Patrick Cowley
Paul Horn
Paul McCartney
Pauline Oliveros
PBS
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Pensive
Percussion
Pharoah Sanders
Phillip Glass
Piano
Pioneer
Plantasia
Plants
playlist
Playlists
Plinth
Podcast
Political
Pop
Pop not Slop
Pop Rock
Popul Vuh
Post Bop
Post Rock
Post-Punk
Post-Rock
Power Pop
Premiere
Prince
Private Press
Producer
Productions
Professor Longhair
Prog Rock
Progressive
Progressive Rock
Prophet-5
Proto-techno
Psychedelic
Psychedelic Rock
Psyhedelic
Punk
Qobuz
Quadraphonic
QUARK
Quiet Storm
R&B
Radio
Raga
Rare Groove
rca victor
Receivers
Record Fair
Record Label
Record Stores
Record Stories
Reggae
Reggaeton
Reissue
Reissues
Releases
Religious
Remix
Retrospective
Rock
Rocksteady
Roland
Roland Kirk
Roller Skate
Room Recordings
Room Treatment
Roots Reggae
Rotary Mixers
Rough Trade
Rudy Van Gelder
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Ryuichi Sakmoto
Sacred
Sade
Sam Gendel
Samba
Sample
Samples
Sci-fi
Séance Centre
Seefeel
Sensual
Shamisen
share
Shibuya-kei
Shoegaze
Singer-Songwriter
Sisters with Transistors
Ska
Sly & Robbie
Smooth Jazz
Soft Rock
Solid State
Songwriting
Sonny Sharrock
Soul
Soul-jazz
Sound Art
Sound Collage
Sound Installation
Soundsystems
Soundtrack
South Africa
South African
South America
Space Rock
Speaker
speakers
Spiritual
Spiritual Jazz
Spoken Word
Staff Picks
Steely Dan
Stereolab
Stereophile
Steven Halpern
Stevie Wonder
Stoner Rock
stores we love
Stories
Streaming
Street Soul
Studio One
Sun Ra
Sunn O)))
Surround Sound
Susumu Yokota
Suzanne Cianni
Suzanne Kraft
Swamp Rock
SYNG
Synth
Synth Pop
Synth-pop
Synthesizer
Synthwave
Taarab
Takoma Records
Tangerine Dream
Tape
Tapes
TD-160
Techno
Techno Pop
Television
Terry Callier
Terry Riley
The Beatles
The Broad
The Loft
The Meters
The Mizell Brothers
The Music Center
The World Stage
Theater
Thelonious Monk
Third Side Music
Third Stream
This Mortal Coil
Thorens
Tim Sweeney
Too Pure Records
Total Luxury Spa
Traditional
Tribal
Trip-hop
Tropical
Tropicalia
Tuareg
Tube
Turntable
TV
UK
Underrated
Val Wilmer
Vandersteen
Vanity Fair
Velvet Underground
Vice
Video
Vince Guaraldi
Vintage
Vintage Gear
vinyl
Virginia Astley
Visible Cloaks
Visual Art
Vocal
Vocoder
Wackies
Walearic
Wally Badarou
Water
Website
Werner Herzog
West Africa
West African
Windham Hill
World
Wrecking Crew
Yacht Rock
Yamaha
Yann Tomita
Yasuaki Shimizu
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Yma Sumac
YouTube
Zamrock
Zither