I had an all Yamaha mid-fi system around 1988, cold and sterile comes to mind. No body to the music. When I say mid-fi, I am talking an (all Yamaha) integrated amp, tuner, and cd player. I was using Boston Acoustics speakers (their most expensive floor standing speakers) and a Nakamichi cassette deck. I hated it but my friend loved it and bought the entire system. Moved on to Adcom separates and Vandersteen 2ci speakers. Then the continuous upgrade path began.
