I have fond memories of listening (in the dark)to my first real system in my college apartment. Spent my life savings in 1979 to purchase Linn LP12, Hafler DH-200 amp, Hafler DH-100 pre-amp (both built from kits) and Fried W speakers. I lost count of how many times the neighbors asked me to turn the volume level down from the 2 O'clock position that it seemed to like best. I can't say that I have heard anything recently that I like better. I agree with Tubegroover about selective memory, but my memory of those times is stronger than my hearing is lately.
Idealism, Audio and Lost Youth
Do any of you yearn for the magic of systems that you may have owned many years ago -- or still cherish older components when you could afford to replace them with supposedly more sophisticated, newer designs? Is is possible that they actually sounded better, or am I just romanticising my youth? I would swear that my heavily modified Kenwood KD 500 with SME III and Dynavector Ruby into an Audio Research pre amp and Hafler DH 500 and Magneplanar MG-1bs in 1980 sounded better than several mega buck systems I have had recently. I have similarly blissful memories of a Nakamich 250 (!) and bi-amped ADS "Mobile Fidelity System" circa 1975 even over the road noise roar of my cheap first car. Maybe it's all about analogue but I just don't listen to music as much anymore.