Video Asylum

Posted by Harmonia (A) on December 13, 2004 at 11:55:24

In Reply to: Risk in buying CRT RPTV floor model? posted by DWPC on December 13, 2004 at 10:42:23:

I'm pretty game. I bought a factory refurb CRT direct view HDTV for myself - I love it. I bought my dad a 27" direct view CRT that was a floor model and it's great. I have almost entirely used and demo gear in my 2 channel system. I bought a low miles "used" car.

But I would hesitate to buy a floor model CRT RP. That set - as Rico noted, probably left in torch mode - has been "on" for many (MANY)more hours a day than would be normal in regular home viewing. The wear and tear isn't on the outside, it's on the inside.

A direct view CRT floor model would be fine - it's picture tube based and has a long life. But a RP, with three color guns, is a very different animal. Even with a 2 year warranty, I wouldn't be comfortable. Year 3 and 4 and 5 could be killers. Those guns are expensive to replace, and in the coming age of thin, fixed pixel displays, hardly worth doing...if replacement guns will still be available.

As good as the Pioneers are (and the Elites are very good indeed), all CTR RPs are basically dinosaurs. No sense spending 3-4k for one. OTOH, they do offer the the best bang for the buck currently available. I think Rico's suggestion about the Sonys is a good one. I'd try to find a new RP.