My first venture into "call brand" audio components came in the early 80's, but I always think of the first system my parents bought for me when I was a kid in the middle of Junior High School...a Panasonic FM only Receiver with 50 watts of power, a BIC outboard 8-track in a beautiful walnut cabinet, a BSR/McDonald turntable with a Stanton cartridge. It had the arm, but I used the single disc spindle instead!, speakers were a pair of A/R Model 2's...I would sit in the middle of my bed- the sweet spot!, and listen for hours on end. My memories of this drive me still in my quest for "that sound"... The sad part is, that was probably as close as I will ever get to that innocent pleasure of music, I'm now so critical of the equipment, the recording process, etc. Still, if I could convince myself that I should buy a Turntable again, a Phono Pre, some cables...
Your first stereo system
What was your first stereo or hi fi music system? What do you remember best about it? What were its strengths? Its weaknesses? What music provided you the most enjoyment from it? What did you trade in first and why? My first system was from Lafayette Radio Electronics. It consisted of a very small integrated amp, two small book shelf speakers, and a turntable I don't remember much about. I was thrilled to have the tiny amp, it provided much better sound than an a.m. radio, in such a small package. My system was in the basement of my parents home, with the speakers on opposite sides of my round water bed! The first "up grade" was to a cool looking Garrard turntable with a clear plastic hinged cover. My favorite music of the time was by Jim Morrison and the Doors. That system did its best to light my fire, and the memory of it still does.