‘Ka-ching’: Old audio gear can fetch big bucks
Recently, I saw an ad for a “Game of Thrones” audiobook, and it got me thinking about whether current-day analog and digital recording devices will be in demand 50 years from now.
Technology continues to change rapidly, and if you’re like me, you jump at the chance to get the newest home theater system, portable speakers, receivers, amplifiers and other devices. Then the old equipment gets moved to the garage, closet or spare bedroom.
It’s easy to think some of this old audio equipment is worthless, especially after it has been stored away for a few decades. But there’s a market for antique and vintage audio equipment, and you’d be surprised at what some collectors will pay to take it off your hands. Here are a few examples:
Phonographs
Recently, we were honored to represent one man’s massive collection of rare phonographs, reel-to-reels and other audio equipment. The colorful phonographs caught the attention of everyone coming into the auction house.
Thomas Edison gets credit for inventing the phonograph in 1877 — it was the first machine that could capture sound and play it back. People are still fascinated with these relics.
At one of our auctions last month, a Victor V. phonograph with an original oak spearpoint horn realized $2,250. And a Thomas Edison standard phonograph with a cygnet horn sold for $1,500.
Reel-to-Reels (R2R)
Our August auctions also included an impressive collection of reel-to-reel tape decks. These were all the rage in the late 1950s, 1960s and even into the ’70s and ’80s.
Some audiophiles will argue that R2R tape has better quality sound than vinyl. Part of the reason is that magnetic tape is a very dense archival medium.
Some of the reel-to-reels that did well at our auction included a Magnecord 1024 that sold for $750 and a Technics 2 Track 1500 that realized $650.
Record players
Don’t laugh — your old turntable could be in demand. And it’s not just eye candy for collectors. Many of them are taking old family stereos and restoring them.
The vinyl craze is what’s driving the demand. I recently read that vinyl sales were up 32 percent to $416 million in 2015, their highest sales since 1988.
Some of the brands that have done well at our auction house include Sony, Pioneer, Dual, Technics, Marantz and Garrard. Recently, we sold a Technics SL-1100A turntable for $675.
Old radios, jukeboxes, speakers, tube amps — the list of antique and vintage audio equipment in demand is extensive. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be in perfect condition. Granted, dust, ex- treme heat and humidity are not good, but collectors will expect a certain degree of wear and tear. So don’t be tempted to discard your old audio equipment. What you thought was junk could be playing “Ka-ching” and lining your pockets with some extra cash.