Mike Reed
pfm Member
And why or how does it differ from having 3 or 4 turntables, tonearms, phono stages, CD players, amplification, sets of speakers or cables for dem.
I for one wouldn't buy an ex-dem cart. for over half price. That cart would probably have indeterminate hours on it (can't think dealers methodically count mileage; likewise most users don't). I would buy amplification etc at a higher mark-up, because if it's cosmetically pristine, works well and comes with a guarantee, it's virtually as good as new. In one scenario the dealer would probably be making a loss and in the latter, breaking even.
This is my take on the difference and I wonder if I'm alone in this. A dealer already mentioned (a very good one) sent my friend an upmarket Lyra to mount and try on his Five. No obligation whatsoever. He didn't buy it, but went for the model above. This a few years ago, but it does happen, so who knows the provenance of the (then) £1500 cart. when it's finally moved on?