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Asking headfi, should I fix my broken AKG K1000's for $850, or sell them cheap and get something...

post #1 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:07am
Thread Starter 

I realize that only I can really figure out if it is worth it for me to get my broken drivers in my K1000's replaced, but I thought I'd ask to see what people think.

 

I have a pair of K1000's that have two blown drivers.  I have been broken for a few years, and sat in the box all that time.  I very stupidly forgot to mute my preamp when I was cleaning the needle on my turntable between sides.  I have them in for repair, and it will cost me $850 to have both drivers replaced, and have a new stock cable installed.  I really like the K1000's, but $850 is very close to a pair of Audeze, and a good bit of the way to a T1 or HD800.

 

What do you guys think that a pair of K1000's with new factory drivers and factory cable is worth in today's market?  My guess is that it is worth around the repair price, but I haven't kept up with prices (and in searches, the prices of sold items are erased).  

 

What would you do in my situation?  I enjoyed the K1000's while they were working, in fact, I think they offered some of the best sound I have heard.  I haven't listened to the new uberphones, so I don't know how they compare.  I have an Aleph 30, which is a great match for the K1000's, so I do have an appropriate amp. 

 

So, I guess my options are

 

1. Get them fixed for $850. 

2. Sell them broken (maybe $200?) and then I'd have $1050 to buy a different pair of headphones. 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my message.  I am curious to read what you guys have to say.

 

-Aaron.

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post #2 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:13am

Hey there,

 

Never heard them myself but they would fetch more than that abroad.

 

Here's a guy that was selling his pair in Canada back in September 2010.

 

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/194513-akg_k1000_k1000_headphones_dynamic_earspeakers

 

He wanted $1100. Surely with brand new drivers, yours would be worth $1200+.

 

I'd pay the $850 and keep them.

 

PS:- Amazed you can still get new drivers for them.

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post #3 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:28am
The drivers would be NOS, I believe AKG stopped production a few years back.

Personally, I'd have them repaired. They're great headphones and I love mine.

Used prices seem to be in the $1,100-$1,400 range or so.

However, instead of selling them, offer to trade straight across for a T1 or HD-800. My guess is that someone will bite. The K-1000 has been out of production for almost five years, and one with new drivers would be desireable.

If you sold them broken for $200, you'd pay $1,300 additionally for a HD-800. But if you paid $850 for a repair and traded for a HD-800, you'd only be out $850. That's an awfully good price for a HD-800. And I think someone would trade you.
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post #4 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:31am
Get them fixed, and try to listen to the new LCD-2s, HD-800s... See what you prefer. [provided that you *know* the K1000 will get repaired properly]

If you prefer the K1000, stay with them, if you'd like the new references, sell your repaired K1000, I think you can sell them for $1000+, there would be no financial loss.
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post #5 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:44am

Another vote here for fixing them.  Assuming you can have them fixed from a reputable place and get documentation, you can't really lose.  Worst case is you end up with a different set of headphones and if you're lucky you might wind up a few bucks ahead.  At least you will never have the nagging thought of what you should've/ could've done.  LCD2s and HD800s will be around for a loooong time.

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post #6 of 7
8/18/11 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks to everyone for replying.  I decided to go through with the repair.  I hadn't thought about the possibility of trading them if I decide I want something else, that was very good advice.

 

I'm getting the work done by Richard Land at Land Audio.  He worked for AKG's service center before they were bought by Harmon Kardon.  Richard said he even has the drivers in stock, so if anyone else is in need of a repair, he is the man to do it.  

 

I appreciate your sharing your experience with me, I think it is right to get them repaired and enjoy them.  Now I'm looking forward to late night listening sessions in my apartment.  

 

 

Thanks again for taking the time to help!

 

Aaron.

 

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post #7 of 7
8/18/11 at 1:01pm

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheya View Post


I very stupidly forgot to mute my preamp when I was cleaning the needle on my turntable between sides.

 

I guess you won't be making that same mistake anytime soon.  frown.gif  Life goes on...
 
Hey- while you're at it, and if this isn't costing you enough money already, have you thought about doing a cable upgrade?  Let me say first off that differences between cables has not been proven to my ears- yet.  (Nice tact- huh?)  But if you're going to have this kind of work done by a competent technician it might be something worth considering.  It's not an opportunity most of us will have (luckily or unluckily); and again if you do turn around and sell these, you'd probably break even at worst.  Just a thought!
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