Yamaha CA 810 from an internet store - opinions?

[Dark Knight]

A "feeler" that I had put out for a CA 810 or CA 1010 unit a while ago has come through. An internet store has offered a CA 810 for $395.00. The seller states that the unit is in excellent condition both electronically and cosmetically. Since it is also an electronics repair shop, the owner has already clean all the knobs and switches and they are supposed to work very well. The unit comes with a 3 month warranty. Plus, if I am unhappy with the unit there is a straight-forward return policy with one week.

I have never done anything with electronics per se, so having a unit with a warranty is important. At the very least the seller is standing by his unit in multiple ways. I have seen the same unit last week on eBAY go for I think the $200 dollar range. So, I may chalk up difference in cost to paying for a quality unit with less (or, potentially less) head aches.

For some reason it feels wrong to pay so much for this unit when there may be other less expensives ones by chance. Maybe it is worth waiting.

Opinions?

DK

[Brian]

Don't use me as a basis but I have a pair of CA610IIs that I think are the next step down and only paid about $60.00 for each and I was not looking for a deal when I got either. 1 needs bulbs and has a gouge on the faceplate and he other is excellent. Personally for a Yamaha, if I were looking, I'd go to Merrylander and ask him to find what I want and go through it and bring it/them back. That way you'll get something that an expert has gone throughand who knows where the weaknesses are and how to address them. There are a lot of good techs but more who simply go by the book or worse are hackers.

[onepixel]

$395 is really steep. Unless it's mint and has been completely gone over with new caps and such.

I got mine for $40 and one a CL just sold for $110.

btw... it's an excellent amp and Merrylander is one of the resident Yamaha experts.

[Raynald]

The local classified had a CA-810 with CT-810 tuner and tape deck for $200. I passed on that but it was probably a good deal. $395 for the amp alone is high. Having said that, a store must pay expenses and are they put some work in and are offering better service so I will not say they are being unreasonable. We can just do better by keeping an eye out.

Ray