The great music and artists fueled my interest in hi-fi playback. Unfortunately, in my youth I knew no one with the same interest. As long as I can recall, I just wanted to enhance the listening experience. Not having a clue what I was doing, I remember buying raw drivers and mounting them in cardboard boxes, and placing them on waste baskets to enhance the sound coming from a Halicrafters Shortwave radios AM stations. I also recall connecting a 3" portable reel-to-reel tape deck directly to the speaker leads in my parents TV to record the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Not remotely hi-fi, but taking the microphone out of the mix significantly enhanced the recording.
I can't really remember when my desire to acquire "good" electronics began. Prior to being able to afford anything but the light bulb in a receiver, in the 60's, I recall sending in cards from Stereo Review for manufacturer information, and cherished the brochures I received.
I bought my first major system in the early 70's. I still have the ESS Heil Rock Monitors from that period, and up until a few years ago, they were used in a HT system.
In the last 10-15 years my disposable income for items like audio, significantly increased, and I started learning more about audio options, spending more time and money in a local shop in Indianapolis.
During these shop visits, I learned MUCH more from the shop owner Jim Jordan, and the folks that frequented his shop than any time previous -- many happy hours, thanks Jim!
Unfortunately, Jim has since moved to the left coast and is in another line of business but he is still keeping a hand in the audio sales world. As I made a purchase from him this year, I'm glad he's still involved, but sure miss his shop and the friends I met there.
Lastly, I credit sites like this for significantly enhancing my audio knowledge, and shining a light on equipment and tweaks that would have never appeared on my radar screen. Cheers to the Gon and all the posters Ive had the pleasure of meeting on line and in person!
I can't really remember when my desire to acquire "good" electronics began. Prior to being able to afford anything but the light bulb in a receiver, in the 60's, I recall sending in cards from Stereo Review for manufacturer information, and cherished the brochures I received.
I bought my first major system in the early 70's. I still have the ESS Heil Rock Monitors from that period, and up until a few years ago, they were used in a HT system.
In the last 10-15 years my disposable income for items like audio, significantly increased, and I started learning more about audio options, spending more time and money in a local shop in Indianapolis.
During these shop visits, I learned MUCH more from the shop owner Jim Jordan, and the folks that frequented his shop than any time previous -- many happy hours, thanks Jim!
Unfortunately, Jim has since moved to the left coast and is in another line of business but he is still keeping a hand in the audio sales world. As I made a purchase from him this year, I'm glad he's still involved, but sure miss his shop and the friends I met there.
Lastly, I credit sites like this for significantly enhancing my audio knowledge, and shining a light on equipment and tweaks that would have never appeared on my radar screen. Cheers to the Gon and all the posters Ive had the pleasure of meeting on line and in person!