About

The marketplace the hobby deserves

HiFi Registry was built by an audiophile who got tired of using platforms that felt like they were designed for selling used furniture. The gear deserves better. So do the people who buy and sell it.

Why we exist

Audiogon and US Audio Mart are the two dominant platforms for high-end used audio. Both have served the community for years and deserve credit for that. But neither has been meaningfully improved in a long time. Audiogon charges commission that reaches $700 on a $15,000 amplifier. USAM automatically discloses your email address to sellers when you make contact. Neither platform requires photos that actually show what you're buying.

These aren't small complaints. The high-end audio community transacts in items worth thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars. The infrastructure facilitating those transactions should reflect the quality of what's being traded.

HiFi Registry is built around a simple idea: treat the transaction with the same care the equipment deserves.

Specifically, here's what's different

Pricing model
HiFi Registry
$15 flat listing fee. No commission on the sale price. No time limit on listings.
Audiogon / USAM
Audiogon: 4% commission, up to $700. USAM: monthly subscription plus per-listing fees.
Photo standards
HiFi Registry
Minimum 8 high-resolution photos required. AI-verified. No stock photos.
Audiogon / USAM
No photo requirements. Stock photos permitted. Single blurry photo acceptable.
Email privacy
HiFi Registry
Your email is never shared. All communication through on-platform messaging.
Audiogon / USAM
USAM automatically discloses your email to sellers when you reply to a listing.
Seller accountability
HiFi Registry
Public transaction history, dispute record, and completion rate on every seller profile.
Audiogon / USAM
Limited or no accountability trail. Dispute outcomes not permanently recorded.
Price transparency
HiFi Registry
Free sold price history for every model. No subscription required.
Audiogon / USAM
Audiogon Bluebook requires a paid subscription. USAM has no equivalent.
Advertising
HiFi Registry
No ads. Ever. Written into the Terms of Service as a permanent commitment.
Audiogon / USAM
Audiogon displays third-party advertising. Targeting based on browsing behaviour.
Transparency
HiFi Registry
Live platform health dashboard. Monthly reports published without exception.
Audiogon / USAM
No public platform metrics. No regular accountability reporting.

Platform philosophy

Every design decision on HiFi Registry is made by asking: would an audiophile who takes this hobby seriously want this? Mandatory photos because a buyer deserves to see what they're getting. On-platform messaging because a dispute five weeks after delivery shouldn't be fought over email. Flat fees because a platform shouldn't profit more when you sell a $15,000 amplifier than a $500 turntable.

The community is the product. Not in the exploitative sense — in the sense that a healthy, high-trust community of buyers and sellers is what makes the platform valuable. Everything else is infrastructure.

Founding members

The first 100 members to register will be Founding Members with their $15 listing rate locked permanently — regardless of any future pricing changes. This is an irrevocable commitment written into the Terms of Service.

Join the waitlist →

Get in touch

Questions, feedback, suggestions, or dealer enquiries — we read everything.

Open the feedback channel →