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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
tylerb
7 posts
 
I had just come home from work one afternoon, and I turned on some tunes (BTW, this was on my pioneer/KLH HT setup...college budget) anyways, I ended up turning it off before the CD was done because it seemed like every day, even at low listening levels, my tunes would give me a slight headache (good ol' fatigue). that's when I realized that my car stereo sounded better than my home setup (what the???) so I started doing some research, and really got the bug when I found audioreview.com. looking at the setups posted there and comments, I was intrigued. kept researching, and eventually found the asylum. went to hundreds (seriously) of audio sites (manufacturers, retailers, etc) and of course Ebay. then I found a stereo receiver refurbished online, and promised myself that was the end of it(yeah, right!!!). I had an extra CD player (due to DVD upgrade) and would replace my rear speakers with some smaller ones. so anyways, after a few days, I found that it wasn't much better...klh speakers weren't doing the amp justice. so I found some Paradigm mini's on ebay. then, of course, gotta upgrade the CD player, then speaker wire, and so it goes...

it's a bug for sure, and that's how it started for me

BTW, just got into vinyl...uh oh!

enjoy,

--tb
xiekitchen
821 posts
 
I think the year was maybe 1974 or 75 and I wandered into a sterio shop and heard some L-100's playing Supertramp and I, as a 14 or 15 year old could not believe the power and loudness of the system. I fell in love with those Marantz receivers with the beautiful silver faces, script type, and blue-violet glow of the lamps. I'll never forget my first visits to that shop just to listen (they knew I couldn't buy so usually I hung around until some 'grown up'came in to listen to buy)hearing pink floyd DSOTM on JBL L-166 or L-65's, Infinitys (with the watkins woofers), Epicure 20's.
Incidently my tastes these days run towards Spicas, Charios, Proac, Spendor you get the idea.
chexxchexx
3 posts
 
I got into high-end audio by accident. About two years ago I got into HT and spent $7,000 on a fairly respectable system. Then while searching for better HT speakers I happened upon Audio Connection in Verona, NJ and it changed my life - I listened to tubed gear for the first time. Female vocals sounded incredible. All of the sounds were so multi-dimensional. I couldn't believe that you could re-create the recording environment. I had always thought of music as instruments, voices, ambient effects, etc. all rolled into one. Using this line of thinking it wouldn't matter much how you listen to your music. Well, John Rutan changed all of that. Ever since then I've been putting together the best system I can currently afford while still maintaining a happy marriage. Expensive, but money well spent!
xiekitchen
821 posts
 
Yeah John R. is pretty cool. He modified my Spica TC-50's, and gave me a good deal on a Magnum Dynalab Etude a few years back.
jhardy
63 posts
 
I was shopping for a cassette back in 1982. I had never heard of high end audio. I just knew that every deck I ever heard sounded terrible. Not even close to at the time my Pioneer PL12D turntable with a Marantz 2220b reciever. Somehow somebody suggested I check out a Nakamichi. Back then you had to find them in high end stores. I looked in the phone book and found Victors Stereo in Chicago and I visited. I walked in and heard Micheal Hedges playing on a pair of Quads. It was the most wonderful sound I had ever heard at that time. I talk to the then salesman, John Swartz who now owns Pro Musica in Chicago. He took the time to teach and allow me to listen to what was possible in good gear. The rest is history. ps. I still own and use that Nakamichi 480.Its the first and only cassette deck I've ever owned and it still looks great with my Mark Levinson components.
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