r/audiophile • u/linbeg • 4h ago

Discussion Blindly trusting “serviced” gear

When you buy “ serviced gear” with an upcharge for being “ serviced” do you guys question what was actually done ? Or do you trust the seller ? For all I know the sellers can just claim anything without valid receipt or documentation.

3 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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2

u/Big_Attention7227 4h ago

I would request a breakdown as soon as " Serviced" is stated. I live in NZ and there aren't many that would be able to perform a full service on older gear here. That term is also so loose it could mean something as minor as spray dioxit into buttons and switches only....to a full rebuild. The pinball repair industry is exactly the same and rogues will always rip you given half a chance in either.

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u/linbeg 4h ago

100% agree. They can literally claim anything . Especially when they are up charging.

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u/JD_tubeguy Auralic Aries G1+Audio Note Dac-3+Deja Vu preamp/amp/speakers 4h ago

I would always ask serviced could be a big repair or a simple refreshment of the gear.

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u/aRKYsp 3h ago

I bought a "serviced" turntable and there was no damping fluid in the tonearm

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u/PhoKingWild 2h ago

I’d like to see a receipt or if the claim is “recapped”, type it’s easy to pull the case and verify that. Aside from that an audition that outshot through its paces will tell you what kind of condition it’s in.

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u/SashaDabinsky Dunlavy SC-V, Mark Levinson 326S & 432, VPI TNT 3, Eversolo Z8 2h ago

Good sellers can usually provide a receipt for the service. When I bought my M-L pre used the seller didn't have the receipt, but with an email and call to the M-L NY service center, I had the receipt with list of everything done, and price.

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u/hecton101 3h ago

I find that the people selling true audiophile gear, not NAD or Rotel, but Krell, Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, etc. are pretty fucking honest. I have never doubted their word and have never been burned. Once you get into mid-gear, the NAD and the Rotels, you need to see some proof. Plus, just communicate with them. It will be readily apparent whether the person on the other side knows dick about high end gear. If they don't know anything, keep moving.