Used Deals Thread

I ran across a fair deal on a Hegel H20 power amplifier. It is on Canuck Audio mart For $3000 Canadian. Which would be ~$2300 US. Unfortunately I can't fit it into my budget right now but maybe someone here might be interested.

 

Paging @Melvillian, as he might be interested in the H20.

 

Sum 1 Get this

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649652236-sonic-frontier-sfd2-mk3-dac-with-assemblage-d2d/

 

@YMO

 

Nope.

 

How would this DAC be expected to sound compared to the SFD-2 MK I and MK II?

My understanding is that the MK I and MK II both used Ultra Analog chips, but the MK III used Burr Brown PCM1704s. The Ultra Analog chips seem to have a devoted following on this site, and the PCM1704 seems to have many detractors.

Is this a different implementation of the PCM1704 that would be expected to sound different, or would this DAC be considered a step down from the MK I and MK II?

 

If by detractors you mean Purrin? I don't recall others complaining about the 1704.

Only one I know around these parts that can answer this is maybe @songmic; he had a sfd-2mk3 model for a while.

The Dac 3.1 which I owned previously used PCM1704 and the PMD200 digital filter with non-tube output stage; it was a very highly regarded DAC for its time and indeed it sounded quite nice. I swapped opamps over the course of a few years in mine and never found the sound I wanted; since it had 8 (technically 12) opamps, it became expensive to experiment with and I eventually gave up.

Before you throw your hands up in the air of opamps; understand that even the Yggdrasil uses 8 opamps in its output stage which are not easily swapped out.

The SFD2mk3 gives me quite the hard on but I can't swing it.

For frame of reference:

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/det...num-plus-upgrades-assemblage-d2d-1-converter/

 

Was originally listed at $900. Has a pair of the Burr Brown PCM 63K dac chips. Having owned the Monarchy NM24 I have always wanted to try this one but I can't swing it now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Monarchy-M24-Tube-Preamplifier/224143014146?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=c71489e1a49d40b6a6c0634dca2e508e&pid=100675&rk=2&rkt=15&mehot=none&sd=233666715745&itm=224143014146&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:e320d5e9-f0b8-11ea-94e0-be24de3d797e|parentrq:6693092c1740a69e54c3beb7ffffcbd6|iid:1

 

IMO this is about $400-500 too expensive for whats included, and that's if you want the d2d.

 

Considering 2450 CAD =~ $1875 USD?

 

Check this out
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fs-ecp-torpedo-3-loaded.941791/

Sorry it's 220v

 

I got the BHA-1 already but thanks

 

My personal logic:

SFD-1 Mk II frequently get offered from between $850 and $1050, SFD-2 Mk II with 'recent refresh by Parts Connexion' between $1000 and $1400, so the absolute most Id pay for one would be $1200, $1250. The Assemblage D2D looks like its offered at $250 fairly frequently, I assume it sells at $220.

$1875 - $1250 - $220 = ~$400, and that's worst case bargaining scenario.

Granted the MK III is rarer and that may be worth a premium over Mk II for some people, or maybe to someone who wants to try out that chipset.

The Assemblage D2D may be awesome but its an antique with less expensive modern replacements available. On its own I wouldn't purchase one, which is (I presume) why its packaged with the DAC here.

 

Nothing to do with me, and they have gone for cheaper before, but there is an ECP DSHA-3F for $2650 on HF: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ecp-dsha-3f.941824/

 

Deal for someone with skillz? Theta DSPro III

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124333191997

 

Hugo TT2 & mScaler for $6700:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fs-...n-condition-9-months-old.942198/post-15859264

Seller has lots of positive feedback, but history is a bit odd — nothing but FS posts for the last 2 years. So, as always, buyer beware.

Also an ad for an mScaler alone for $3200:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fs-chord-hugo-m-scaler-hms.941983/post-15853641

 

VPI Classic 1 30th Anni Edition TT: $1800

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649654812-vpi-classic-1-turntable/

 

Hey, noob US Audio Mart buyer here. How trustworthy is this site? The seller has no previous selling history. Has anyone had actual experience with PayPal's dispute resolution process in case of problems like faulty equipment? I'm hesitant with an unknown seller, but I really like the price on this one: 10" metal arm plus dust cover is hard to pass up for $1800.

 

Anyone can setup an account on USA Audio Mart and you can always ask if the user has buyer/seller history from other platforms (ebay, Audiogon, etc.). You can link your accounts in USAM, but not everyone sets up their profile right away.

PayPal is pretty fair if you pay for goods and services, they most always protect the buyer. Just be very weary if any seller suggests or persuades to do PayPal gift, because scammers know there are no protections using PayPal gift.

 

I buy and sell there frequently.

USAudioMart offers a forum but no marketplace-sponsored assurances like ebay. They do flag suspicious buyers & sellers, I've received warning emails about purchasers who were flagged for some reason or other. As @rtaylor76 sez anyone can get an account there with a verified email so in the end its buyer beware.

The good part is you converse with sellers over regular email so you can ask questions and verify real life identities before you purchase. I routinely do that and actually use PP gift to avoid fees if I've talked to the person, people like to talk about their gear. Call me a sucker. (The new scams btw are Zelle and Venmo, which are also no-refund )

I've found many audio dealers maintain private accounts there to dispose of extra stock without alerting manufacturers. More than once a 'lightly used' or 'unopened' item turned out to be new with warranty, something they will tell you if you follow up on the ads.