I started out my hi-end "hobby" 4 years ago with a $150 Dynaco ST-70 that was a stock unit.I had the filter caps replaced as they were no good.I hard wired a heavier gauge power cord,bought NOS RCA 7199 input tubes,Svetlana EL-34's and enjoyed the Hell out of it for 3 1/2 years.My Dynaco was always considered a temporary amp until I could afford my dream amp,a Pass Labs Aleph-3 ($2500) I now have my Pass and enjoy it as well.It is more detailed,more transparent and very clean sounding.For some reason though,I miss the Dynaco and find myself thinking about it when Im listening to music.I think I enjoyed it more than the Pass.The Dynaco seemed to inject soul into the music where the Pass doesnt.Maybe Im nuts but thats my opinion.
Bringing back the dead?
After reading the recent Stereophile's annual recommended components issue gave an idea for this thread. What are some of the best designed and produced audio products that is no longer in production? Apparently, I can't get this answer from reading new press. I am asking this question because I have only been in this hobby for about 10 years off and on. 10 years is not very long and I feel that I cannot not really appreciate this hobby without really understanding the past. Perhaps going forward, I can compare what's new to what I have been exposed to this past 10 years, but it would be nice to know what other products that was available before I started my audiophile journey. Is the best really yet to come or we have achieved the apex of hifi and we're all heading back down? Thanks for reading this thread and I look forward to reading your comments.