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Your First System

This should be good!!! Most of us have been in this expensive hobby for years now and have worked our way up to components we only dreamed of. I want to know what was your first system of separate components going back as far as you can remember. My first consisted of a Pioneer SX-680 receiver, a Technics SLD-1 turntable (I think that's the right model #), a Sharp tapedeck, and KLH floorstanding speakers. I was 16 at the time and thought I was the biggest badass on the block. Now, 20+ years later I have a ML 334, Meridian 507 CD, CJ PV10A, Canton Ergo 900 speakers, and a Transparent Power Isolator 4. I'm in the process of upgrading to a ML 390. It goes without saying the IC's and speaker cables are top notch as well. I know my system is WAAAYYYYY down the foodchain compared to what I've seen here but It would be interesting to see what everyone started out with.
pcook15

Showing 1 response by jotam

jotam
17 posts
 
Year 1966. 19 years old -very limited income.

An old JBL solid state integrated amp for $20 from a friend. Another friend's former speakers Acoustic Research AR-5 for $15 and a third friend let go an AR-XA turntable no cartridge fitted for $5. Got a new Shure M91 phono cartridge ($23) some lamp zip wire ($2.00)as speaker cable and no recordings! A total of $65 for my first stereo set (more money than my monthly salary income then).

My first LP -Beethoven's Violin Concerto - Ruggiero Ricci violinist let me discover my AR speakers had blown tweeters and failing mid-hi level knobs and also that my JBL electronics had scratchy tone / volume controls!!!

So guess had to start up as a tweaker as well as an audiophile.

After cleaning up my JBL's volume / tone pots and replacing my AR's hi-range drivers with new original ones plus cleaning up mid-hi pots I added AR's recommended fuse setup - and was finally able to enjoy the magic of good music at home!!!

Was quite happy for some time. Till another friend listened to my stereo rig and offered me to buy it all. Sold it for $250.

Then started my search for more used equipment. But that's another story.
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