TLDR; Should I borrow money for this Leak amp or should I wait until a vintage pioneer (which I love the looks of!) comes around? I worry I’m making this decision more so out of thinking it’s a “deal” and scarcity anxiety rather than rationally.
Hi everyone! I wanted your shopping advice. I’m a student who’s looking to upgrade her audio system to better enjoy vinyl. I want to slowly work my way through the components and I’ve figured out I want to start with the amplifier. My budget is around 400 USD for said amplifier, ideally with a wooden case and integrated amplifier. Thing is, I live in South America where everything is more expensive and harder to find because it’s imported.
Recently a Leak 130 popped in my local facebook marketplace for 730 USD. It looks brand new and comes with the added benefits of bluetooth connectivity on top of my previous requirements. Besides, it isn’t even sold by retailers in the walnut cover in my country. However, it’s waaaay over my budget.
I know this subreddit will probably have a bias, but I guess I want to collect a variety of opinions.
I have a few 70s systems myself that range in the thousands I obviously didn’t pay those prices. I mostly kept looking and lucked out a couple of times. Don’t borrow; save & keep looking. Remember once you find and buy the amp that you luck into you’ll need to find a pair of speakers that match it.