Yes, the CJ ART, various Audio Research were all great...but I do remember lower priced items that gave much pleasure for their price.
In no order, The Large Advent, DQ-10, Nakamichi SR receivers, inexpensive Nordost cables, many tuners giving good vibes vis "FREE" music. Also, in a different way, the Nakamichi TM radios and SoundSpace systems.
There was a solid state ARC pre that was very good....ls-12?
And I do remember "free" listening at some friends homes/systems that were great values. I was exceedingly lucky to have a best friend that bought most of my gear when I was "moving on". It gave me the chance to listen to what I had had compared to what I currently had....at least once what I had sold to him was better than what my replacement gear was...........the old "live and learn".
The first VMPS 626R w/ most of the upgrades for $1200--new territory for sound in my system. They had tremendous clarity, yet were not hard on the ears, then added a VMPS 215 sub w/ VSS upgrades for just $600. The sound just got that much better at the mid and even high frequencies in addition to the much better bass.
Getting the Sistrum SP-3 shelf rack for just $900 used. Then got 3 RTS couplers to clamp the components to the shelf for just $140. Each of those used deals increase the live quality of the sound along with more dynamics and clarity.
Each of the PPT products that I had added to the system in the last few years--caused a massive uptake in realism and tone.
1. Total Contact 2. Springs 3. Cable Elevators 4. Bulk Tape eraser Honorable mention rubber bands, but not fair since they cost nothing. Actually my whole list is not fair, but oh well. Not my fault more people can't think outside the box.
There were Saul Marantz, Henry Kloss and other big time people in the audio industry. Another was Andy Pettit....I believe he was part of early Boston Acoustics.
Back in 1983 bought a pair of Boston Acoustic 2 way stand mount speakers for next to nothing brand new. Jaw dropping sound. Wish I had stored them in a box somewhere and saved them.
Ric Schultz EVS 1200: class D dual mono 600wp module @ 8 ohms (sadly not being made anymore) $2300
Emerald Physics 3.4: Open Baffle 12' carbon fiber midrange with
a concentric
one inch polyester tweeter 96dB $4495, but they blew out a small remaining inventory. I saw a pair on USAudiomart for < $900
The KLH Nines (driven by a Bedini 25/25 and Mogami 2477 speaker cable) had great "boogie factor"! I remember listening to the live Creedence Clearwater LP and my father coming downstairs and yelling " Turn it down - it's too loud, I can hear it upstairs!" Yes, Dad! Keep on chooglin'!
My purchase in 1991 of a one-owner pair of KLH Nine full-range electrostats for $500! Designed by Arthur Janzen and Roger West, who later started Sound Lab. Found them through a NY Times Sunday classified ad by Hi Fi Classics in Far Rockaway, NY. At the time I was using Quad 57's since 1981. Well, the Nines sounded so much better in bass and dynamic range that they became my main speakers!
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