How do you test second hand gear?

[Dandelion]

There is a chance I’ll be buying a used 5.1 setup, but I’m a bit hesitant because I don’t know how to test it.

 

if it’s set up and the AVR seems to work and all the speakers and the woofer play sound is that all you need? Like a 5 minute listen?

[Jeddie]

Buying 2nd hand comes with an element of risk. Only you know what your risk tolerance is.

 

Are you buying thru Stereonet? Or are you buying elsewhere?

If thru SN dos the seller have good feedback? 

 

[Dandelion]

It’s through SN from someone new to the site 

[Jeddie]

So I assume no feedback as yet.

 

If it was me I would be very careful - but then that's me. Others may not be.

 

Hopefully someone will chime in with what to specifically look for with 5.1 setup.

 

[075Congo]

Ditto the need to be ultra-careful. A 5 minute check out is of some use but I'd be very interested in why the full system is up for sale.

[Dandelion]

It seems that the sellers brother was into audio and he passed away, and they don’t really have a use for it.

[075Congo]

Can you give us an idea of what brand of equipment is up for sale?

[Dandelion]

It’s SVS

 

ultra Fronts and C

prime LR

sb 1000 non pro sub  

yamaha rx-a1080

 

brand new it looks like it’s about $5800aud, listed for 3500, though I was looking for something a lot more budget and offered 2000, though I think SVS speakers are pretty overpriced in Australia anyway.

 

I’ve never even used an AVR

Edited December 6, 2023 by Dandelion

[075Congo]

Nice Amp from Yamaha........speakers look the goods and their RRP is high......good value system if you can negotiate on price. What source are you thinking about?

[Dandelion]

For now an older Sony 4K led TV, (tv and movies) Nintendo switch and Spotify.

 

I’d also be fine with a more budget system brand new, though I do like the idea of something once loved getting a second life and I’d probably use it for 15+ years if it lasts that long. I’m just a bit weary of buying second hand, especially when I’m a complete beginner with this stuff and I’m not really sure how to verify it works.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Dandelion

[075Congo]

Good luck with your purchase.......will probably work out very well for you. Merry Xmas!

[Jeddie]

Read this > 

 

As mentioned in link; "If you use google chrome browser, you can also right click an image and select 'search google for image' which in the case of a sale thread should not bring up any images other than the stereonet thread (or perhaps ebay under the same seller, but you can cross check details like location/price/date etc)"

[bob_m_54]

6 hours ago, Jeddie said:

Read this > 

 

As mentioned in link; "If you use google chrome browser, you can also right click an image and select 'search google for image' which in the case of a sale thread should not bring up any images other than the stereonet thread (or perhaps ebay under the same seller, but you can cross check details like location/price/date etc)"

But you can also use image search addons in other browsers, eg Firefox..

[Dandelion]

On 07/12/2023 at 10:54 AM, 075Congo said:

Good luck with your purchase.......will probably work out very well for you. Merry Xmas!

Thanks. I've just been diagnoses with C-PTSD and have been doing a lot of processing and reliving so I could use a nice win-win situation like this if it all goes ok.

[muon*]

On 07/12/2023 at 6:13 PM, bob_m_54 said:

But you can also use image search addons in other browsers, eg Firefox..

Or just google image search, regardless of browser.

https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en

[bob_m_54]

1 minute ago, muon* said:

Or just google image search, regardless of browser.

https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en

Yes, but why limit yourself to only one search engine.

[muon*]

6 minutes ago, bob_m_54 said:

Yes, but why limit yourself to only one search engine.

Moderation is key

 

Wait!.....that's for something else

[Snoopy8]

On 07/12/2023 at 10:42 AM, Dandelion said:

I’ve never even used an AVR

That is by far the biggest risk.  An AVR is probably the most complex, "do it all" equipment you will own.  An AVR has lots of bells and whistles, some which are more important for some people, for others less so.

 

Suggest you find someone in Brisbane who can help you learn more about the how an AVR works, what to look for and guide you to identify your requirements.  Or continue posting questions here and learn from the replies.

 

However, that takes time.  Are you prepared to wait?

 

Also, note that AVRs depreciate faster than just about any gear here.  You can pick up bargains of top line gear from time to time. 

[AvSat44]

I would probably not buy a used AVR. Of the half dozen or so that I've purchased over the years, only one was fully functioning. How could you possibly know if the AVR was working properly with a 5 or even 15 minute test drive. As mentioned earlier, they are very complicated pieces of equipment with many features and walking into a respected shop front and buying new will get you piece of mind and WARRANTY!

[mharvan]

multi meter, headphones, ensinkin bluetooth receiver & iPhone/ Spotify and finally a small pair of speakers

[99 .]

I don't bother with a multimeter for speakers, but a small battery Bluetooth amplifier will test most of what you need to know from speakers assuming you know what to listen for. A phone with local music and sine generator. Local music in case you have no internet and it also means the wireless chip is only doing Bluetooth and not fighting with internet at the same time which seems to happen sometimes.

I guess a laptop and DATS would work for impedance sweeps if you want to delve that far.

 

The multimeter would be good for amps to make sure they aren't putting out 50V DC ready to pop any speakers you attach. Sacrificial speakers work too 

Headphones generally good unless you have an amp with dedicated headphone section; it won't test the speaker outputs. That seems to be less common though. It also probably won't help with surround receivers.

A portable music player or phone with adapters to RCA inputs, be it wired dongle or BT receiver.

 

Of course when testing source devices you may want a CD/tape/record

 

A good seller should have the stuff set up already to demo. Of course sometimes you get family members who aren't into audio, who are selling stuff. Can get you good deals but also can net you broken stuff because they don't know.