Who Do You Credit For Getting You Into This Hobby?


I didn't know which forum to post this in so I hope it's alright to have done so in "Speakers".

When you look back over this obsessive hobby of ours, who do you give credit for helping you take the plunge? I am extremely grateful to Albert Porter and John Fort, who were salesmen at Arnold and Morgan (Dallas) in the mid-to-late 70s (I believe Albert might actually have been the sales manager), and spent a lot of time with me to assist in finding the best system for my tastes and budget. They also treated me the same as their male customers, and never made me feel like the minority (female) that I was in this particular hobby. Their love of the hobby was infectious, and I quickly became enamored with the quest for getting the sound right. That first small system was comprised of a middle-of-the line Yamaha receiver (1977), Yamaha speakers, and a Dual turntable. I still own the Dual turntable and have kept it for its sentimental value. It is currently not in use although it is still operational almost 30 years later.

So, thank you, Albert Porter and John Fort, for taking the time to help me all those years ago. It's also evident here at Audiogon that Albert continues to help all of us as we pursue this endeavor, a few of us much older than when we originally began the journey.

--Mary
mcrheist
Like a lot of us, my Dad got me into this hobby. He was always into music, either playing guitar, recording his own music with my mom, or listening to music. I remember some of the old gear he used to have. Unfortunately, we did not have the means to spend the kind of ridiculous amounts of money I do now but it was still fun nonetheless listening to my Dad's Realistic tuner and tape deck. Thanks Dad!!!!
For Artizen65: I hope my 25-year-old son will credit me for giving him his deep love for music. I started playing music for him before he even left the womb, and have been trying to be a good influence since he entered this life. He's still a reluctant participant in the equipment at this point, but I know at some time he will realize how much a difference it CAN make. Good on your Mom. I am proud of her. You sound like you are too.
A gentleman named Brian. He was a salesman at Sound World in Pocatello, Idaho 33 years ago. He was patient and informative. He let a 13 yr old kid play whatever he wanted and taught me what I should be listening for. I don't remember his last name which is either fortunate or unfortunate depending on whether I'm in the mood to thank him or curse him....no seriously he was instrumental in my forming an interest in this hobby. Music has always been my first love and as I am a social worker I have a very modest system but oh how I enjoy it.
Mary, You're right on about Albert. While I've never met him, he has been a tremendous help to lots of us. Like Boa2, I've played instruments (guitar, bass guitar, clarinet, saxophone) since the age of seven, so the music came first. I wasnt aware of high end audio until I happened to pick up a copy of Stereophile in 1986, and soon was perusing Absolute Sound, Sounds Like..., and others, thus starting on my journey to my present system. I had a female friend (she's since moved away) who I took with me and my wife when we were getting some new equipment back in the late eighties, and between us and John at Sight and Sound in Morristown NJ (now defunct), that got her started on her path to audio nirvana ( I was going to say "audio zen" but too many companies these days are using that word).
When I my parents took me to see "This is Cinerama" in the 50's. http://www.mtsu.edu/~smpte/fifties.html
To me, it is not a hobby. I watch TV sometimes, I listen to music sometimes.