Box swappers - misunderstood.
- Thread starter jaxwired
- Start date
puroagave
Active member
Mike Lavigne
Member
I'd say that there are certainly many ways for non-box swappers to be 'bold adventurous fearless path forging spirits' in high end audio. to commit fully absolutely completely to any high end audio path takes lots of guts. some call it crazy (like my wife, for instance).
- Thread Author
- #24
Umm...yeah....heard that story before....good luck with that.
Bingo; Jax and I, are both in Tech
I'm in Tech as well but quite the opposite in job swapping so not universal.
Shadowfax
Well-known member
I changed careers when I was 43 and got a degree in Network Engineering. I have this week been with the same company for 9 years supporting Regulatory Submission Software and global infrastructures for it.
In my past life I was a Toolmaker and then a Machine Designer. In the Machine Shop days of the 80s and 90s, when manufacturing was actually something we did in the USA, there were many shops in my area and in some places next to each other. In order to further my career and knowledge, I jumped around and did something a little different every few years until my last job in that field that lasted 13 years before injuries and surgeries made me change my career. I had about 15 jobs over 25 years.
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
Another great post Tom !
I never understood box swappers until I became friends with 3 guys here on the forum. After getting to know these guys, I now get what they love and what they do
What I don't understand, is why do the non-swappers care ??
It's not their journey.
I think a lot of it is jealousy.
I never understood box swappers until I became friends with 3 guys here on the forum. After getting to know these guys, I now get what they love and what they do
What I don't understand, is why do the non-swappers care ??
It's not their journey.
I think a lot of it is jealousy.
puroagave
Active member
I hear you, its the typical carrot start-ups use to attract recruits but I pin his odds at better than 70/30. to get traction longevity is hard to argue against, I'm still in touch with short-timers that left our firm over ten years ago. the promise of greener pastures never transpired for them and they're still wallowing in mid management positions with options running out as they get closer to retirement. had they stayed with us or another employer for a longer stint, imo they'd be much further along.
anyhoo, good luck with the interview.
Mike Lavigne
Member
Shadowfax
Well-known member
I am not a swapper, but would love to be. I am not at all jealous, but would love to be in that position. I live vicariously through those here and elsewhere that are because how else would I get a good education from first hand owners. In reality, if I was unmarried and did not have all the other financial concerns for the future and retirement at 70, I guess I could blow my life savings going down that road. Unfortunately, I have had to make the "choice" to just keep enjoying what I have now, purchasing when an older item dies, and planning for a nice future downsized setup.
Dizzie
Well-known member
My problem with swapping concerns system synergies. How does someone establish synergies when their system is a Rubik's cube? The very-good preamp they sold last month would be an even better preamp (match) for the new amp they bought yesterday. And the power cord they traded three months ago would be great on the new..... (fill in the blank--DAC, pre, amp, etc.).
Maybe I am just insecure. It gives me cause to wonder but I think at some point the system has to have an anchor. Something constant that other components revolve around. Sometimes I just want to listen to music and not think.
Maybe I am just insecure. It gives me cause to wonder but I think at some point the system has to have an anchor. Something constant that other components revolve around. Sometimes I just want to listen to music and not think.
- Thread Author
- #33
It's a good point and there's no doubt synergy is a major component to creating a great system. There's also no doubt that sometimes box swappers take steps backwards rather than forwards. However, I would not trade what all this "auditioning" has provided me. I have much greater insights into great sound and what I like then I would have been able to acquire if I had been less aggressive about trying new gear. I also think I've become an expert listener more capable of hearing key differences.
I can also tell you that several times I thought my system had reached a pinnacle that would be nearly impossible to surpass only to find out that more green field still lay ahead. Had I not continued to "audition" I would have never known what further improvements were possible. It might have been a happy ignorance, but ignorance none the less.
I suppose one perspective comes down to the perception of allocated working capital. Quick repetitive turnover over the longer term has a greater potential to preserve capital longer as opposed to allowing an item to age & therefore depreciate rapidly over a similar time period.
Box flipping is a good thing especially if you have a justifiable business behind it with an allowable tax incentive.
Having the room to receive, commission, play, decommission, package, move & sell requires a degree of time & discipline in order to manage the risk. If you have a developed a good system to deal the flip (can operate successfully in your market) then you are helping to sustain the industry & are having loads of fun along the way.
CPP
Active member
Y'all change out audio gear like I change out or update my 60's and early 70's car collection. Trouble is the wife is fully vested in the car collector hobby and I just can't get her interested in the 'audio hobby'.
Mike Lavigne
Member
the trick to long term ownership and equity retainment is...ta da.....no surprise....high performance for the dollar to begin with. and if you purchase brick and morter brands where the models turn over quickly and the margins are high and price/performance ratios are not outstanding, you cannot avoid considerable depreciation.
maybe i've just been lucky....but the speakers i've purchased since the year 2000 have all been scarce and desirable (and still current models) when i sold them and i ended up actually making a small profit on each one.
same preamp for 8 years but have the upgraded new one on order, and i know i will again make a small profit on this 8 year old preamp when i do sell it. i sold my 8 year old amp at a small profit 2 years ago when i upgraded. neither amp or preamp had changed over that time other than updates so the manufacturer protected the value.
i still have the same digital player aftrer 7 years.
depreciation? what is that?
it all comes down to finding the best performance for the dollar and a manufacturer that supports the product and the future value of the product.
there is simply more than one way to control depreciation. and buying the right gear to begin with helps.
Shadowfax
Well-known member
Good stuff, Mike. That is why I pay attention to what everyone here buys 
AJ Soundfield
Well-known member
CDLehner
New member
I don't get it either; and it does present like "envy". I guess it takes a certain amount of a) deposable funds, b) courage, c) adventure.
As for the "loss"; I don't think Jax or I, is in a position, where we're happy to throw it away. You gotta buy smart...and sell savvy; and know what you're prepared to live with.
If I see a piece I'm interested in...regularly going for $x; I have a sense of what the high/low on it is. If I see one, at a good price...or negotiate a good price; I'm pretty certain, I get to "audition" it...at no charge. In other words...within a couple of months; I can get back what I paid. Sometimes, I might make a few bucks...because I purchased so shrewdly; other times, I might lose a few. But usually, well worth the time I got to spend with the piece (for example, if you "lost"...say $200 on a $5,000 amp; you got to put through its paces in your room, your associated kit...your music, for like 3 months. Would you consider that money well spent?)
Whoever made the point, about the Rubik's Cube: a) spot-on
and b) point well-taken. Jax's response was also right on the money; it's an inexact science...and sometimes you do take a step back. But you know what...if you miss a piece, or you think it would really fit in this configuration of your system; you can always go get another one! (my record...I've owned the David Belles Ref 150a v2; 3 different times :blush:Bottom line; it's my business. Don't hate the playa...playa.
mep
Well-known member
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It also helps when you buy the product "right" meaning you are lucky enough to receive a fairly steep discount on the purchase price. Otherwise, I don't know how people can buy high-end products at close to retail price without taking a beating on them financially when they quickly flip them.