Back in the late 80s I was able to pick up a Luxman turntable with a decent MM cartridge. Several years later I was helping in the construction phase of a recording studio, where payment at one phase in the overall effort was in the form of used vintage audio gear. Not knowing anything of the company or quality of equipment they produce, I chose a McIntosh C20 tube preamp for that paycheck. A few years later (late 90s) I was able to pick up a pair of Proac Studio 1s (again, not knowing anything about their reputation).
At some point thereafter I put them all together with record play of John Lennon's 'Watching the Wheels' and, for the first time in my life, experienced a sound stage (i.e. sound imaging). I've been chasing the dream ever since that amazing experience...
Current state = that same Luxman TT, a Luxman CL-38uSE preamp, Atma-Sphere M60 OTL amps, and those same Proac Studio 1s.
At some point thereafter I put them all together with record play of John Lennon's 'Watching the Wheels' and, for the first time in my life, experienced a sound stage (i.e. sound imaging). I've been chasing the dream ever since that amazing experience...
Current state = that same Luxman TT, a Luxman CL-38uSE preamp, Atma-Sphere M60 OTL amps, and those same Proac Studio 1s.