Collector's guide

Collecting goes well beyond piling up gear. The point is owning pieces with a history and keeping them in good shape over the years. Here are a few pointers for buying with your head and looking after what you already own.

What makes a piece valuable

Collector value runs along a different track from the depreciation of modern gear. Different things carry weight here.

Rarity: units made, limited editions, models pulled from the line early.
Condition and originality: factory parts, no bodges or repairs with spares that aren't the right ones.
Documentation: original invoice, manuals, schematics, box and packaging.
Provenance: a known history and a single careful owner always help.

Vintage and modern aren't the same thing

Not everything old is collectible, and not everything modern crashes in price. The key is telling a piece with a track record from one that's simply old.

Vintage worth having: iconic brands and models, design that doesn't date, mechanics you can actually repair.
Modern with a future: limited runs, technical milestones, cult makers.
Mind the fads: what's climbing today may go flat tomorrow, so buy what you'd be happy to keep anyway.

Preservation and storage

A well-kept piece holds its value for years. A badly stored one loses it in no time.

Keep it away from damp, heat and direct sunlight.
Look after the rubbers, belts and surrounds, and replace them with the right spare when the time comes.
Hold on to the original boxes and packaging: they protect it and add value too.
Run the gear now and then, because long spells unused take their toll as well.

Document your collection

Keeping the collection documented saves you trouble: it's more enjoyable and, if it comes to it, easier to insure or sell.

One record per piece: model, year, serial number, condition and what you paid.
Close-up photos and of any mark or repair.
Invoices and paperwork, kept alongside the record.

On HifiCafe you can register your gear in your collection and link it to each model's page.

Where to find pieces

The HifiCafe marketplace and the community itself, where you talk directly to other enthusiasts.
Hifishark, to follow prices and availability across Europe.
Fairs, specialist shops and trusted repair services.

Got a trick of your own?

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