MusicOne 2,148 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) Are there any members who have purchased equipment or had repairs done through Classic Hi Fi (Newtown, Sydney)? I have heard that they tend to be a bit on the expensive side, both regarding purchases and repairs. Anyone with any stories to tell? http://www.classic-hifi.net/ Edited March 26, 2015 by MusicOne Link to post Share on other sites
josh0571 63 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 There was a multi-page thread about the Classic Hifi shop a few years ago but I can't find it now. I was amazed at the fact that they were stocking new Cambridge Audio phono pre-amps at a price higher than the RRP of authorised dealers at the time. Their prices in general though are way over the top. 6 Link to post Share on other sites
pete_mac 3,990 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Very, very expensive indeed. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Viognier 2,238 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yep expensive for gear. Though I have bought some second hand vinyl from them. Weren't they a sponsor at some point? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
josh0571 63 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes they were but not for very long from memory. Link to post Share on other sites
dwbasement 4,807 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Are there any members who have purchased equipment or had repairs done through Classic Hi Fi (Newtown, Sydney)? I have heard that they tend to be a bit on the expensive side, both regarding purchases and repairs. Anyone with any stories to tell? http://www.classic-hifi.net/ Everything in that shop is expensive except some (only some) of the secondhand vinyl is reasonably priced. Link to post Share on other sites
Administrators Marc 12,476 Posted March 26, 2015 Administrators Share Posted March 26, 2015 There was a multi-page thread about the Classic Hifi shop a few years ago but I can't find it now. I was amazed at the fact that they were stocking new Cambridge Audio phono pre-amps at a price higher than the RRP of authorised dealers at the time. Their prices in general though are way over the top. This one I think: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/27261-outrageous-prices-for-vintage-hi-fi/ Link to post Share on other sites
Bell Ringer 605 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 Remarkably they sold a pair of B&W 100i that cost about $200 in 1990 for $990! They are probably worth about $75. I keep mine for nostalgic reasons and plug them in every now and then for a window back into my world when I was 21. But hey I could give up that nostalgia if someone wanted to pay $990 for it. A friend of mine actually likes their sound more than my Quad 11Ls, but he is quiet strange and an unreliable source of information. I am sympathetic to Classic Hifi, they are restoring some lovely gear and trying to find a market for it while paying rent/salary etc. I've found the guys in there to be very helpful and pleasant, and they have some funky stuff to look at, and they do have some good vinyl every now and then. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
analog brother 2,075 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) yep, it is a nice store in a funky part of newtown, so very trendy and all that. has a nyc village vibe to it. but pricing is heavy handed and aimed at people who don't know any better, but want something cool to match the decor in their terrace or warehouse conversion. Edited March 27, 2015 by analog brother 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Moderators betty boop 15,742 Posted March 27, 2015 Moderators Share Posted March 27, 2015 Remarkably they sold a pair of B&W 100i that cost about $200 in 1990 for $990! They are probably worth about $75. I keep mine for nostalgic reasons and plug them in every now and then for a window back into my world when I was 21. But hey I could give up that nostalgia if someone wanted to pay $990 for it. A friend of mine actually likes their sound more than my Quad 11Ls, but he is quiet strange and an unreliable source of information. I am sympathetic to Classic Hifi, they are restoring some lovely gear and trying to find a market for it while paying rent/salary etc. I've found the guys in there to be very helpful and pleasant, and they have some funky stuff to look at, and they do have some good vinyl every now and then. though have never visited them, am sympathetic to their cause too...beautifull old gear has a right to be restored and given a 2nd chance on the shelf have see quite often (even here) bbc ls3/5a's and clones no matter their condition going for many multiples of what they originally retailed for. yam ns1000s what did they retail for back in the day what do people get for them these days ? people pay for quality and see it even in older gear no matter the age. good gear never dies.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Administrators Marc 12,476 Posted March 27, 2015 Administrators Share Posted March 27, 2015 As per previous discussions regarding this business and their pricing structure, who decides a fair market price for a second hand item? The seller.Obviously if they're still in business after all these years, they're doing something right. As they perform repairs, and provide warranty, only they can decide what something is worth, and what the price to acquire, test, restore and repair (where necessary) something, and then offer it for sale. What you buy from them, cannot really be compared to the un-restored, untested component that can be bought second hand from a private seller. Red Book springs to mind, and the difference in market price between a dealer and a private sale for second hand cars. Good on them I say. If they can maintain a fair margin, and remain in business then they are doing something right. Customer service is surely worth something too. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
JukKluk2 2,240 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 I've been in there a couple of times. When discussing what they have versus what is currently available they wisely show no recognition of anything new and instead speak highly of what they have on hand. It would be self defeating if they were to acknowledge anything current, wouldn't it? Perhaps they are enthusiasts who genuinely believe that what they have can be competitive. And really, in some cases they may be right. As for the pricing: caveat emptor. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
josh0571 63 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 This one I think: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/27261-outrageous-prices-for-vintage-hi-fi/ Hi Marc Yes, I think it is but there were a lot more posts in the thread including mine... Link to post Share on other sites
Be Quiet...Listen 941 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 As they perform repairs, and provide warranty, only they can decide what something is worth, and what the price to acquire, test, restore and repair (where necessary) something, and then offer it for sale. What you buy from them, cannot really be compared to the un-restored, untested component that can be bought second hand from a private seller. I have heard from multiple, credible sources that this business does not perform servicing on all units that they sell or have sold. Only those that require servicing upon attainment or incur some issue whilst on display. While staying in Sydney I did make a point to dropping into the shop to see it first hand. I could not believe the prices! A pair of Celestion Ditton 66's were on display for $3600! The exact same speaker that I could have bought myself some months earlier for $1000! Buyer beware! Definitely do some homework and ask a lot of questions before you drop some cash or give out your credit card number! Link to post Share on other sites
New Sensations 1,264 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Very, very expensive indeed. Agreed x 1000000. Link to post Share on other sites
cafe67 3,919 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Wtf ?? They want $1000 for a rega planar 3 ???? Link to post Share on other sites
New Sensations 1,264 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Wtf ?? They want $1000 for a rega planar 3 ???? Doesn't surprise me at all. Some might call their margins 'fair' or 'reasonable'. Many of us in Sydney do not. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
pete_mac 3,990 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I have heard from multiple, credible sources that this business does not perform servicing on all units that they sell or have sold. Only those that require servicing upon attainment or incur some issue whilst on display. That's important to note - my past findings were largely the same. Some gear is serviced, some is not, and none of it is 'restored'. Link to post Share on other sites
Administrators Marc 12,476 Posted March 31, 2015 Administrators Share Posted March 31, 2015 That's important to note - my past findings were largely the same. Some gear is serviced, some is not, and none of it is 'restored'.I stand corrected then. My perception was otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites
Sansui77 1,544 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Almost choked when I went to their website and seen the pricing. Too expensive. Some nice gear though Edited March 31, 2015 by Sansui77 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Muon Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Wtf ?? They want $1000 for a rega planar 3 ???? It actually says "as a guide more than $1000" Says same for a a planar 2 again for a HITACHI PS-15 :o ....................... Going by this, I have tossed $500 tables in the bin! Link to post Share on other sites
Goatboy 776 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Their business model is probably somewhat reliant on location - based in hipster - central Newtown - how could a vintage hifi store not succeed ? 😄 Link to post Share on other sites
New Sensations 1,264 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Newtown is so much more than hipsters. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk 3 Link to post Share on other sites
ferchersan 3,751 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Their business model is probably somewhat reliant on location - based in hipster - central Newtown - how could a vintage hifi store not succeed ? FWIW, I reckon Crown Street is hipster Central I feel like a sore thumb over there. At least Newtown is 'all inclusive'. Shopping on Crown Street reminds me of this... One more NSFW video about hipsters and vinyl... Cheers, LF Edited April 1, 2015 by ferchersan 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ferchersan 3,751 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 (edited) Just realised that the good fellas at Title Records are in that 'hood. No disrespect to them. They know their shizz. Cheers, LF Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited April 1, 2015 by ferchersan 1 Link to post Share on other sites
analog brother 2,075 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 awesome leigh, i didn't know that series existed! thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Blk plastic 1,143 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Wtf ?? They want $1000 for a rega planar 3 ???? About a year ago they wanted $1200 for a stock Planar 2!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Crampoli 2 Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I had an amp serviced there and was sorely disappointed. It was a vintage Marantz 1150 that had a sublime sound but developed a tea kettle-like whistling. After paying my $325 for the repair, I plugged it in and the whistling noise was still there! They sent it back, but lo-and-behold, the repairer could not hear it, so did nothing. After several months of back and forth, I took the amp home with the whistling sound continuing. But the story got worse. When I hooked it up at home, I was stunned to hear that the power output was significantly diminished and the beautiful Marantz sound gone. No more warmth, and where I could only take it a third of the way up for my Newtown living room, it now required twice the distance for even a satisfactory listening session. Saddest hi-fi experience to date. Lesson learned. Be warned. Postscript: The Marantz 1150 is an amp that would likely go for $2000-3000 in the shop. After the repair, which they stood by, I offered to sell to them for $700 (so less than $400 if you subtract the cost of the repair), and they actually laughed at me. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Demondes 676 Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 5 hours ago, Crampoli said: I had an amp serviced there and was sorely disappointed. It was a vintage Marantz 1150 that had a sublime sound but developed a tea kettle-like whistling. After paying my $325 for the repair, I plugged it in and the whistling noise was still there! They sent it back, but lo-and-behold, the repairer could not hear it, so did nothing. After several months of back and forth, I took the amp home with the whistling sound continuing. But the story got worse. When I hooked it up at home, I was stunned to hear that the power output was significantly diminished and the beautiful Marantz sound gone. No more warmth, and where I could only take it a third of the way up for my Newtown living room, it now required twice the distance for even a satisfactory listening session. Saddest hi-fi experience to date. Lesson learned. Be warned. Postscript: The Marantz 1150 is an amp that would likely go for $2000-3000 in the shop. After the repair, which they stood by, I offered to sell to them for $700 (so less than $400 if you subtract the cost of the repair), and they actually laughed at me. Hmm, that really sucks. I haven't been to that part of Newton for years, so guess they are still operating? I remember seeing the stuff in the shop that looked retro cool, but always doubted their pricing considering they hadnt renewed all the caps etc. Wow 5 year old thread. Link to post Share on other sites
5L15 123 Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Just had a look at their website, all prices are now POA. @Crampoli sorry to hear of your bad experience using Classic HiFi. Link to post Share on other sites
Crampoli 2 Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I just wanted to follow up with the fact that Classic Hi-Fi is under new ownership now. It changed hands over a year ago, so it seems that I need to be fair and make that clear here. The new owners assured me that they would not have allowed what happened to me previously, so I will have to give them a chance. Link to post Share on other sites
Demondes 676 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 I remember going there a few times years ago <2014. I treated it like a fascinating free museum of HiFi past, a place to stand gawk but not buy. Link to post Share on other sites
.thumb.jpg.0650550bfe1c1cd20023e7fe290f8c1b.jpg)
Recommended Posts