2. misc-audio
  3. 977767838

How did U get into this expensive hobby?

So I was up last night listening to my system and thought to myself, when am I going to be 100% satisfy with my set up. Just for once I like to listen without thinking well maybe if I can add this or remove that I can improve on this or that area. A mist all that I thought how did I ever got into this hobby any way? Well, the nightmare began for me when I was working in my college university's periodical section. We had over 3000+ magazines on file. The first stereo magz I ever picked up was the AUDIO annual price list which was about 300 or so pages of all major audio mfg. and models..also known as the audio bible; what ever happened to Audio magazine anyway? I remembered being so intrigued by so many brands that I have never heard of before and how the workmanship and industrial design seemed so much far superior than the average Kenwood and Pioneer back then (no offense to Kenwood and Pioneer owners). This was 10 years ago and I started by scraping every pennies I had to purchase my first NAD integrated amp. Although 10 years have passed, I am still scraping for money to own something new every now and then, but this time instead of pennies, it's dimes a nickels since my tasted have upgrade with my salery. It'd be interesting to hear how some of you fellow audigoners got started in this hobby. Upon adding to this thread, you'll find that you'll get a little grin on your face after spilling your guts out on how you began on this deep pocket journey and how far you have come. Happy Holidays guys and gals.
3chihuahuas
sean
6,231 posts
 
I grew up with a Dad that was into audio. Needless to say, i too have the bug along with my brother. The first "stereo" system that i had consisted of a Sony receiver, Bose 301's and a Technics turntable with an Audio Technica cartridge. All of my friends (i was about 13) thought it was the ultimate. I worked my way up to components shortly after that (Pioneer TX 9500 tuner, Marantz cassette, Phase 4000 preamp, Phase 700B amp, Bose 901's, etc...). I've come a long way since then, but one thing hasn't changed. I'm still "toying" with different gear on a regular basis and enjoying it. Sean >
kacz
177 posts
 
Well I was 19 and wondered into this store that had a plain sign that said "stereos". I was looking for some home theater stuff. When I walked in I was like "what the heck they don't have any home theater stuff just two channel. how do they stay in business?" "holy crap look at the price are they insane"? I had no idea that there was gear this good out there or a community behind it. The owners passionantly convinced me of the superiority of two channel over home theater. They took me in to hear the avalon 2c3d system. From just an effects standpoint alone I was sold let alone how good it sounded. This was way better than having a center channel and "WOE" how did it make sounds come from behind and beside me and over me with no speakers in back? After I heard how amazing just plain stereo can sound I decided to dump home theater like a bad habit and have never looked back since. I was sold and became an audiophile. Curse them and yet thank you. =)
ibolibo's avatar
ibolibo
4 posts
 
I got a job right out of high school at a store called Wall to Wall Sound and Video. I was 17 and looking for a cashiers position, but the guy who hired me thought I'd make a good salesman, so I landed a job where I got to play with speaker/amp/source combos all day long. This was in 1988 at the start of the CD revolution! I bought my first "real" system that year-- A pioneer changer, a Sony amp, and a pair of JBL LX 55's (along with some Monster Cable). I got to go to manufacturer shows and discover how speakers color music,how power sources have the magical ability to bring realism and an immediacy to sound, and a lesson in critical listening that hooked me on hardware and quality. I've been in love ever since.
rgd
656 posts
 
Started in the mid eighties with a Sony receiver, Dual turntable and a pair of brand X speakers. Bought a less powerfull HK receiver a year later and found out about high current. Jumped to small Magnepan speakers and a Bryston preamp/amp combo. Went digital a year later with a Denon cdp. Flogged the maggies to my kid brother and bought a pair of Acoustat hybrids. Fell away from the audio bug with travelling for work, kids, school at night, etc. and kept the same system for 8 years. Got back into it a little over a year ago and have changed my entire system, some components more than once. Built up a second more modest sytem (by my standards) for home theater over the last 2 years. Now all I need is a dedicated room what has been deemed as "my crap". Hopefully this will be it for another 8 years. Now about those tweaks I keep reading about...
trelja
3,223 posts
 
We moved into a new house when I was 7 years old. I now had my own room. My dad was a big-time audio guy; first as a tech, then got his degree in electrical engineering(because of his love for audio). He built amps and speakers professionally(ahh, the Golden Age of hi-fi). He proudly set me(each of us, actually) up with my first "real???" system(absolute junk), a receiver(w/built-in 8 track, no less), turntable, and speakers. He had a ton of great stuff, but told me I would start out at the bottom. Where I took the whole thing would be determined by my own interest, creativity, and passion. Haven't stopped since...
More to discover