To many the title above may seem like an oxymoron. After all how can buying more consumer electronics be helping the environment?
Well the answer lies in the assumption. Good quality Hi Fi is not consumer electronics by any sensible measure. The reasons are not obvious to anyone outside the real Hi Fi buying community. But can be summed up:
- Good quality Hi Fi is built to last a long time, in fact 40 years is not untypical of the life of a well made Hi Fi product.
- No built in obsolescence – a good piece of Hi Fi today is likely to be a good piece of Hi Fi in 20 years time.
- A well developed second hand market – even when it’s time to upgrade, a good quality piece of audio gear will have a second hand value on the open market. Sometimes being more valuable after 20 years than the purchase price.
- Good manufacturers provide good support – a lot of good quality manufacturers provide very long term support for their products. There is also a well developed third party servicing sector, which support the best quality equipment.
The Rega Planar 2 (pictured) is nearly 40 years old, is fully serviceable, and is worth a large percentage of its original price on the second hand market.
So, all in all, you are not only doing yourself a favour by buying something of genuine quality, you are doing your bit to save the planet!