It's a buyers market right now with all the theatre closings around the country.

I was to a multi-plex auction last spring where you could have equipped your booth per screen with digital stereo sound, platters, projectors, lamps... everything for about $5000. Most of the equipment was about ten years old except the sound equipment which was only about three years old. I think for the most part though when using good used equipment the cost should fall somewhere between $5000 and $10,000 per screen.

If your not interested in stereo, and willing to use old equipment, between 25 to 50 years old, but still good, then you can get away with about $2,500 to $3,500. Some of that equipment made 50 years ago is still better then a lot made today. I just bought 25 Simplex E-7 heads in good condition... boy are those things workhorses. I only needed a couple as backup or for parts, but had to buy the lot. Anyone interested in any E-7s?

It isn't as much of a buyers market as one might think.
Most of the equipment from theatre closings if it is newish and in good condition is being recycled with in the circuit involved the junk is what is being dumped on the market.

And one must remember that buying used equipment from a theatre closing usually has ended up costing more to refurbish after moving. Also most supply companies provide service and installation to theatres that buy the equipment from them first ahead of those that have boughten elsewhere and only want labour, All the better engineers are almost as busy as time allows just installing and servicing what they have sold with out adding for stuff they did not. Also I for one only work on used equipment on a time and materials basis as you have no way of knowing what sort of modified mess you are going to be working with. Also there is no equipment warranty from the manufactures on used equipment for after it gets moved it is all bets are off. PS contact Entertainment Equipment Corp for a quote 1 800 448 1656

THe local art House here I consulted for got some great deals on used equipment. except for I wasn't happy with the choice of platters there were available but it seams to be holding up. The projector was a used Simplex pr 1014 which had been well maintained by its previous owner, I did however have them buy New digital sound equipment, amps and speakers and lenses.
All in all it worked out great. The used stuff is out there but as Gordon pointed out watch out for the junk.