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

Donaudio, I remember first hearing the Quad ESLs at a friend's in 1961 and thinking I had to have them. It was 1976 before I got a pair, actually two pair. Keep up the quest! It sounds like you are still having fun.

I think audio is a lot like cars. I used to tune cars by listening to them or driving them. Now the chip needs to be read by the computer. Not as much fun but clearly better.

It is still a fun hobby and now you meet interesting people even across the world thanks to the internet.

Guys, humor me a little. I remember when most of us had limited internet or long distance contacts, but when we interacted with other audiophiles it was more collegial than is the case now. Everyone was more constructive.

Today with the internet and on Audiogon and Audio Asylum you mainly get negative and caustic responses frequently from people who know nothing that would give them that authority.

I guess what I wonder is if others have had that experience or if I am just being an old man unchanging with the times.

Another more interest question that I have wondered about is whether you all think your present system is the best you have had.

In had Dyna mono gear in undergraduate schools. I bought Radio Shack electro static speakers and a Thorens 124 and Fisher 440T in 1961 during my brief period of working in business. The Thorens at least was okay. I bought some old tube gear in grad. school, and later Rectilinear 3 with a Dyna 120 and a Crown 150 preamp on getting out. Everything was cool for a while until I heard Infinity ServoStatic 1s playing through the open door in a stereo store. I had to have them and ARC SP3, and Dual 51 and Dual 75.

Since then I have had 14 different speakers and probably as many amps, preamps, turntables, cd players, dacs, cartridges, and cables. I have also had 35 different ac filters and tried at least 27 different power cords.

There is no question about my favorite era-today's. I would not trade by present system for any in the past, although after once abandoning Klipshhorns, I went back to horns with fervor after hearing low power SETs.

I think many have abandoned audio for video and MP3 and computer crap, but present day designers know more and have better parts to make great stuff. Fortunately some good music is available. Most pop musicians cannot play and few singers can sing on key. I remember my grandfather and father saying that and vowed to never say it myself, but hey I saying what I hear.

Me too Brianmgrarcom. The only audiophiles I knew in those days were locals who I ran into at dealers and later one dealer who I became good friends with. I can remember his going to CES and anxiously awaiting to hear what he heard. I also remember discovering Stereophile and growing old awaiting new issues.

I also remember somewhat later when I got strongly into racing Hobies. Saleboat racing is very time consuming and meant that my speakers would often go weeks without being on. Often my young children would request that I turn them on at bedtime and play them loud.

Ramy, I too miss the quality dealers who expected their business would yield them a living without pressing like a used car salesman. They also could talk about what they had seen at CES and the wonders to come. JG Holt's Stereophile also brought me wonders that seldom appeared in Tallahassee. I also agree that much of the equipment is revered today but was just okay. The Marantz 7 is one such piece.

I continue to play LPs today and think this sources to be superior to digital, but vinyl today is far superior to what I had then. I also still surf the crest of the wave of quality reproduction today but with fewer financial restrictions as you say.