Senior Audiophiles - Audiophile since the 60-70's?

Okay I will throw my hat in the ring. Been at this since 1957 now I am 62. At the time it was all tubes and mono as well. Owned a high end shop from 1975 to 1982, plus was in the entertainment business with CBS and later with TV Guide. Has been a life long interest will continue to be. Have made life long friends in this hobby,like no other.

No since going into a lot of detail here, as I would just be mirroring some previous respondents to this thread.

However the greatest joy of this hobby/business has been intoducing this high end adventure to the uninformed and watching them get into the high end.

OopS - Forgot to menetion my favorite system from years gone by. It was a CM Labs 914 amp,Audio Research SP 4 preamp,Denon DP 1200 with a Denon 103D cartridge. Speakers were stacked Large Advents. That was it. No designer interconnects,speaker cable or power cords. That was way before designer cords came on the market. Still miss that amp though, it was magical.

As good as it was then will keep what I have now, but ever find a CM Labs 912 Power amp that is fully operational,would snag one of those in a heart beat.

Had this up and running from 1976 to about 1984 or so.

I somewhat agree with Albertporter on most of the topics he refers to. The exception being vinyl that is pressed today. While some of the offerings do indeed approach the quality pressings from Verve, RCA Dynagroove, Columbia 6 eye and 2 eye, Riverside, Fantasy, and others far to numerous to menetion in this limited thread response. Having been with CBS for many years, perhaps I have a deeper insight than most in the realm of vinyl reproduction. The actual decline of quality vinyl pressings came about during the oil crisis of 1974. Bulk virgin vinyl escalated very high at this time to near 60% above previous levels. It was believed at that time the record consumer was price sensitive and any increase in msrp would have negative impact at the retail level. the other approach adopted and used was to reduce the vinyl content by 20 percent, of which we did and most other labels did as well. Take any major label product from the 50s,60,s and early seventies and compare that pressing in weight, quality and grooves engraved and you will see a startling difference between the two.

As far as present day offerings, while some are of decent quality the mass of them do not measure to previous standards. I know I have a few so called audiophile pressings and when compared to the original near all fall far short of the original.

While I do not have the elevated system of Albertporter, mine being a Goldring GR 1.2 with Rega RB 250 arm, bascially a copy of a Rega P2.

Albertporter has made some very valid claims, such as he mentioned, however when it comes to vinyl, I have to dissagree for the most part.

Albertporter we agree to disagree on vinyl. Have far more years in saddle. Please don't even menetion Speaker Corner product with any mention of sanity. I have some of those pressings, well did have, could not wait to ditch them, the absolute worse pressings I have come across, when compared to the original pressing. Music Matter and Acoustic Sounds I cannot comment on, as I have not as of yet heard them. There is no substitute for an original pristine issue. Its kinda like do you want a Picasso or a copy? I do applaud some of the new kids on the block for trying and doing their best in pressing vinyl today. They have come a long way, but have miles to go for the most part. As for me I have given up the so called audiophile pressings, unless reviews of such come from unimpeachable sources, with credentials to match. It is indeed sad to see what has happen to the Norman Granz Verve catalog. In many ways thank God he is no longer around to see what has happen today with the reissues of dubious quality. He would never have released the dreck we have today. But then again we no longer have the Norman Granz or Alfred Lion of today, only pretenders and few contenders.

Oh, hell my hearing is always in question at 65. Putting up with all the artist and corprate butt drafters at CBS and later on TV Guide. It's a friggin miracle I have any hearing at all, and of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.

Other than that I am doing well, I think. But then again I would have to find my brain to be certain.

Although we disagree on many levels, nonetheless enjoy the music. For me in the final analysis it has always been about the music we all enjoy.

Sounds like a plan to me. Some nice Brandy in a snifter will do nicely and kick back and listen to some marvelous music. I shall be there in spirit enjoy the evening.