If you came across a used BR-900 for $250, what would you do?

[ur2qt2b4got10]

I have come across a BOSS BR-900CD, it appears to be the newer version from 2008.  It is even in the original box.

I am far from rich and this time of year makes it a hard sell.  I want to know what some experienced folks feel. 

Vote Please!

-2qt

[Tony W]

Not a chance. I bought a used BR-1600 for $350 a year ago, and now that that the BR-800 is out for $404.00 You can certainly pick up a used 900 for cheaper.

Save your money, get the newer better model for another $160 after tax, Didn't you just get burned on a Micro BR?

[ur2qt2b4got10]

I am torn.

This one is from a local shop.  I bought my MBR privately only to find it was crippled.  I was looking locally and the BR-900 is selling for $480+ on Kijiji.

I am worried about getting scrooged again, and I want to know if there is anything I can get surprised with...

[SteveB]

UR - Yep, we've all been in this position. 
I have the BR900 and it is a wonderful machine. However it has to be said that Roland/Boss have moved on and don't advertise it anymore, it's the BR800 all the way for them. So, first I would look into how much more the 800 is new, compared with this 900, which may have had more than one owner. Waiting until January is always recommended if possible. The Retail industry is desperate for people to spend cash after Christmas, so good deals are on offer. If you have to/do go with the 900 and the the shop is local, ask to have a demo in the shop, which lasts longer than 5 mins. Get to record something, mix it down, master it etc, burn a CD if possible. Ask questions: how much warranty will you get? (3 months is usual). Is there a manual with the machine? A power supply? Any CompactFlash cards?
If it's been treated right the machine may last you years. On the other hand...
It's always temmpting to want to get the available, but if it were me, I think I'd have to earn the extra and go for the BR800. Good luck anyway. 

[Tony W]

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Boss-BR-800-Digital-Recorder-106091630-i1530236.gc

They currently have a $50 off coupon for purchases over $349. Bringing the price down to $399.00

That took less than 2 minutes to find.

[Bluesberry]

I reccomend the BR-800 myself, so much more machine for the $$$$.  The BR-800 would make you very happy for many years of recording.

[64Guitars]

The BR-800 is the only BR I'd recommend right now because it's the only model that accepts currently-available memory cards. All of the other BRs that use memory cards for storage, including the BR-900, are limited to 1GB. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to find 1GB memory cards now. The smallest most retailers stock is 2GB. The BR-800 accepts SD memory cards up to 32GB. These memory cards are available everywhere and will continue to be available for years to come. So, I'd recommend saving your money and buying a BR-800 instead of the BR-900.

Besides the memory card availability, there are lots of other reasons to choose the BR-800. See this topic:

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=6710.0

[64Guitars]

I was looking locally and the BR-900 is selling for $480+ on Kijiji.

A new BR-800 is $449 at most US online retailers such as Sweetwater or Musician's Friend and most will ship to Canada. At today's exchange rate, that's $454.04 CDN, which is $26 less than the used BR-900 on Kijiji. You'll probably have to pay duty and brokerage fees on top of that but it might be worth it.

The idiots at Roland Canada don't allow Canadian retailers to advertise prices of Roland products online. So Canadians who want to shop online for the best prices are forced to buy from American retailers (great marketing strategy, Roland Canada!  ). But that's okay because American prices are usually much better anyway, especially with the current exchange rate which is almost at par.

[ur2qt2b4got10]

I hate impulse, only because it grips and controls me so easily!

No offense Tony W, but I have "heard" that tone of voice from my wife many times,

   'hey look at what I found and I didn't even try that hard, is your money burning a hole in your pocket or something?  Doofus?'

Thank you TonyW, I sometimes need to hear that.

I was looking through that old post 64G linked to, when the BR-800 came out this spring. I think I am going to do a few things with all this advice:

1-if I even do go back to that shop, I will have to practically memorize the manual beforehand and I would need to record, mix, master & burn as well as test inputs/effects before I even consider dropping $250, and I would certainly ask them to come down on the price.
2-I will wait until after the holidays, regardless.  That's just smart.  Everyone has boxing week blowouts to clear their old stock.  If they have this there at 50% off, who knows, maybe!
3-The BR-800 is looking more and more like something I can get into forever.  It's already more than I need, so I've got growth issues covered, and it is more up to date with SDHC instead of CF.  DAW is not for me, yet.
4-Lastly, I need to mull over the decision much more until some eureka moment hits me. I haven't had that moment where it all makes sense.

Right now the 900CD is incredibly tempting because it is there and it is under-valued for status quo in Edmonton.

I'll know I have made a good purchase when I look back and feel no regret, even years later.  Like when wife got me my Harmon Kardon AVR-110 home theatre processor/amp & Polk Audio speakers.  It still impresses me even now, 11 years later.

I feel that way about the MBR's quality, even though I should have bought one new for $50 more.  That was stupid of me not to consider the overall costs if it was a dud.  I had no idea repair was $70/hour.

I want to feel that way about my next BR recorder, no regrets.  Let's hope boxing week is kind to me.

[Ferryman_1957]

BR800, BR800, BR800.....

It's excellent and will keep you happy for many years. It has the added advantage of allowing you to get into DAW if you want to, but I guarantee you don't need to use a DAW. Very powerful machine, I am really impressed with it so far.

Cheers,

Nigel