Predicting the AGon economy?

The audio market has been splitting for many years now. Rare, desirable, collectable, gear and items that are of recent manufacture and have been favorably reviewed by the hi-fi press continue to bring a larger percentage of their original selling value, in many cases, exceeding the original selling price. Common, or less desireable items have hit the skids and can't be sold at any price. There are some very good bargains in overlooked goods right now, but collectable gear is pretty highly priced. There seems to be less gear, generally, coming on to the board these days and that tends to firm up prices a bit, as well. I guess most people can't afford to upgrade and are just hanging on.

I also have been a little puzzled by the audio market lately - there are significantly fewer items being posted on this site than before, except perhaps for speakers, yet the pricing continues to rise. One would think the pricing would have to come down pretty soon if that trend continues.

I agree with the points made by Tvad and Viridian. From my point of observation pricing is all over the ballpark. It seems to me that the number of "listings" has been pretty consistent to perhaps even growing (AG should be happy), but it appears that there is an act of "closet cleaning" that is going on and the mix of "gear" offered has moved a bit away from the high end product to a closer proximity to the mid-range product.

I keep a detailed bluebook for items that interest me, so I have a very good idea of the range of sales. It seems lately that listing sellers have less of a clear picture of the used market and are often offering items at "wishful" prices.

Good comments by all. I'll add that prices for collectable and specially desirable/rare pieces tend to be driven significantly by overseas buyers. The much weaker dollar, compared to a few years ago, has therefore probably helped support prices for these pieces.

With the dollar rebounding somewhat recently, and the economic downturn seemingly spreading pretty much world-wide, I suspect that before too long we'll be seeing prices for these pieces coming down also.

Regards,
-- Al

High end Audio seems to be like the Beer and Wine markets… recession resistant, but not recession proof.

By and large, my take on sales, postings and pricing especially, seems overvalued by those newer entrants to this website. Those with more time here and or exp. Are generally more sane with their asking prices.

Initially I wanted to go HT with all separates. Uh… that didn’t work for me. Too much $$$. IMO Most likely due to my devotion to 2 ch being my priority instead. Receivers with outboard amps is the ticket there for my uses of HT. I don’t go off on higher priced cabling for it either. It’s modest thru and thru yet remains involving and fun. That’s good enough for me. One more 3 ch or a very good 2 ch SS amp for it, and I’m done there…. Save for adding in a 1080 FPJ and trickling down my 720p to the BR rig. Maybe.

Simple.

I suspect with ongoing listings everything may get a bit of a squeeze for a while. Mainly while some decide or discern their own situations…. Be it to continue onwards and upwards? Or downsize.

Seen the numbers of the unemployed lately?

Priorities are changing. Top to bottom. Many have been and are about to be affected.

A change in priorities in a recessionary era restricts spending… again, top to bottom. Inventories are restricted and availability decreases accordingly. Production is scaled down too. It all makes good sense as well.

Doubtless few of our ‘cottage industries at their finest’ will suffer some, but given many are but fueled by a minimum number of people, they will continue… just at a lesser pace.

Prices should as well become more attractive as the motivation, eventually, increases by need. Some too may just be trying to move out non prioritized pieces… superfluous items at a premium, as speculation and not by motivated needs.

Personally, I feel it more as a social mind set than anything else. An precautionary atmosphere perhaps. It is pervasive and affective to degrees which account to their own financial and security levels. Recessions are marketing and emotional depressants too. Recovery from them requires changes, both temporal and long lasting at times.

Another year, two or so, all will be less bumpy. Three tops.

It may be for the best in the end, if this period enables folks to become more attached to values in life rather than to mere indiscriminate costs and previous discretionary spending habits.

If nothing else, paitience will get experienced by many, like it or not.