As a teen (late 1970's) I read Stereo Review every month and picked out the "best" system components based on the highly reliable performance specifications and authoritative product reviews. At the time, I had a Sound Design all-in-one turntable/amp with 5" full range speakers (est. $129)!
I love music. Played a trumpet and baritone into college. Got by with a hand-me-down system from my father, a walkman and a good pair of Koss headphones. Insert fond memories here of Boston, Styx, Supertramp, Heart, Kansas, Yes .... oh, but I digress.
Later (out of college, but still broke) I had a $400 Sony 50wpc turntable/tape rack system; which was supplemented with a used early generation CD player. However, after hearing the clarity in my friend's very expensive Denon/Infinity system (est. cost $1,200) I decided I needed new speakers.
Purchased some $300/pr Advent Prodigy II's (considering this to be a great extravagance), and promptly found the wimpy Sony rack system couldn't drive.
While returning them, I happened upon a Dahlquist dealer introducing the new DQ-12's (3-way open baffle construction similar to Vandersteen 2's). I really liked them. He left those pre-production versions at the store and the store was dumping them as demos prior to the new products arriving. I bought a stack of Adcom electronics to go with them. I also got to know the salesperson (he had some great gear), and then subscribed to Stereophile.
Shortly after that I was completely addicted. Like many others at this site it seems continuing happiness requires a regular component upgrade. Currently it's the Audio Alchemy, BAT, McCormack, Thiel, Velodyne level.
But after reading the other thread about "what's the best system you've every built" I have a feeling this is going to go on for some time (wife groans here).
Thanks for the fun question (and memories).
I love music. Played a trumpet and baritone into college. Got by with a hand-me-down system from my father, a walkman and a good pair of Koss headphones. Insert fond memories here of Boston, Styx, Supertramp, Heart, Kansas, Yes .... oh, but I digress.
Later (out of college, but still broke) I had a $400 Sony 50wpc turntable/tape rack system; which was supplemented with a used early generation CD player. However, after hearing the clarity in my friend's very expensive Denon/Infinity system (est. cost $1,200) I decided I needed new speakers.
Purchased some $300/pr Advent Prodigy II's (considering this to be a great extravagance), and promptly found the wimpy Sony rack system couldn't drive.
While returning them, I happened upon a Dahlquist dealer introducing the new DQ-12's (3-way open baffle construction similar to Vandersteen 2's). I really liked them. He left those pre-production versions at the store and the store was dumping them as demos prior to the new products arriving. I bought a stack of Adcom electronics to go with them. I also got to know the salesperson (he had some great gear), and then subscribed to Stereophile.
Shortly after that I was completely addicted. Like many others at this site it seems continuing happiness requires a regular component upgrade. Currently it's the Audio Alchemy, BAT, McCormack, Thiel, Velodyne level.
But after reading the other thread about "what's the best system you've every built" I have a feeling this is going to go on for some time (wife groans here).
Thanks for the fun question (and memories).