In 1966 I bought a Dynaco SCA-35 integrated amplifier kit and by the time I was done soldering I'd found enough money to buy an AR manual turntable. That left the obvious problem of a complete lack of speakers. But when I took the completed amplifier in for a bench test, the dealer took pity on me and found a pair of small AR speakers gathering dust in the warehouse because someone had special ordered them in 'fruitwood' finish and then hated it (no kidding.) He sold them to me for just enough money to keep from being embarassed by the deal and I was a happy boy, ready for all the musical enticements of Austin in the late 60's. I had a long and happy relationship with the dealer, High Fidelity, and they more than made back the money they lost on those first speakers.
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.