Started building it in 1976 with a Pioneer SX-750 receiver, and Pioneer CT-7272 Cassette, Dual 1245 turntable (still have and won't part with), Technics direct drive turntable, MXR 10 band graphic equalizer and the key component, Electro Voice ETR-18 Speakers (still have and will never part with). Later upgraded to Phase Linear amp and pre-amp with 4-Bose 901's for a nightclub. Nothing matches (then or now) the sound reproduction of the ETR-18's (Environmental Transducer Research). Today's digital stuff is crap in comparison. |
In 1970, I started with a Thorens 150 with Stanton 681EEE, a Sony R to R, a Teac cassette deck and Heathkit tube tuner as sources, with Dynaco Pas 3 and Dyna 70 as amplification, driving AR4ax's. All are still in use for my system at the cottage. This system still gives me great pleasure, although my main system is probably a "better" system, mainly due to the fact that the speakers are much better (Totem Mani2's), along with the vinyl source (Oracle Alex III, Rega300 and Bluepoint Special).
Bob P. |
It was 1973. I was 16 and living in Santa Barbara California. The father of my oldest brother's girlfriend gave me a 60's era Sherwood tube amplifier and separate tube tuner. I added a early Garrard turntable that was bought at a garage sale and received a set of large Advent speakers for my birthday. I was in audio heaven! I have a photograph of me proudly posing in front of my system and I still have the tube tuner.I don't know why I kept it as I haven't used it since the 70's but would never give it up now as it reminds me of my first real system. I've been through several systems over the years and now have one with a Threshold/Levinson front end pushing B&W Naltilus speakers and I'm seldom really completely satisfied. Back in 73' I was satisfied and the vinyl sounded as great to my 16 year old ears as anything does now. |
My first "system" was in 1962 or whenever ... a turntable with two speakers that actually locked into place above and below the turntable once it was positioned upright on its side, thus forming a compact suitcase-like affair with a handle. Can't remember the name, like it would be worth remembering, but I do remember having a great time playing LPs, which were probably fairly expensive at $1-$2 |
What's sad is most of you were using my equipment for your first system 20-30 years ago. I'm using a Marantz SR2000, a Sony PS-X20 turntable (absolutely worthless) and recently upgraded to a Sony DVP-9000ES. My speakers are Mission 80's or Boston Acoustics A70's. I'm thinking I'm going to turn over everything except the receiver and cd player. |
1970
Dynaco SCA 80 solid state integrated amp.
Thorens TD 125(?) w/integrated factory arm and Empire cartridge.
Larger Advent loudspeakers.
Scott LT-112B tuner.
16 brown lamp cord (thickest available-I new the value of good wire back then) |
JVC 2 channel receiver
Paradigm 7SE speakers
Yamaha CDX-5 (I believe) CDP - the cheapest one because CDs were the "perfect" sound anyway
Nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
Interconnects/speaker cable? Whatever was literally lying around
Bought all this new in 1987 with part of my student loan money :) |
My first component system was Dynaco SCA-35 w AR-4xs and AR Turntable . . . Just bought an H.H. Scott LK-72 and Dynaco PAS-3 and Stereo 70 and am really looking forward to getting back to tubes with my small Maggies |
In 1983 I got a JVC Home system/Boombox that had dual decks, a hide-away turntable with push button motoriezed ejection system. It had a battery pack to use as a boombox but at 27lbs it was hard to carry around and ate batteries fast......but man did I think it was cool! It cost me $450.00 and I thought I was the coolest kid around, I was really just a very young audio nerd! I think the first LP I actually bought was by the "Thompson Twins" oh man FLASSSSSSSH BAAACK! |
Sony str receiver
Technics Turntable
Bose 301
I wasn't really happy with the sound - but didn't know why, so I kept listening to it all through my college years. After all, it was B o s e - how can it not sound good?
Sony and Technics are b i g companies too, so I thought they must sound good - perhaps it was just the condition of my records or something.
I neither had the money nor the knowledge to see through the marketing hype... I could have had a much nicer system even for that money...
It wasn't about one year ago I started this audio-quest, thanks to internet and all the guys in sights like this. I spent as much as a brand new car on this hobby, only to listen to a kenwood exec system I got for $159.
I am still lost - but I am having fun. |
i still have my harmon kardon arv 10, which has recently been put in a second room. my new stereo is a marantz, which lacks to fun of my earier much loved harmon kardon. |
My dad bought me a Sony ES 5.1 Theater system in 1999 for Christmas it was my first real entry into audiophiledom. Before that I had an Awia cdp and some cheap speakers to go with it. |
Rogers Cadet integrated
Leak Mini sandwhich speakers
Basic Garrard deck
It was so long ago, they had only just invented electricity, it sounded great and I thought I had a Hi-Fi system, no I had a Hi-Fi system. |
Circa 1965.
My first system was a Knight Kit KM-15 tube amplifier driving an 8" "full range" paper cone speaker, also from Allied Radio in Chicago. Speaker was in a homemade plywood box with no back. Phono source was a "Dynamic" cartridge (Stanton, I think) on a turntable of uncertain origin. Added another KM-15 amp and another speaker a year later for stereo. Beatles Rubber Soul, Revolver (Mono) were in heavy rotation, and Sgt. Peppers (stereo) was a revelation. Added a Pentron 1/4 tape machine and a Knight Kit tuner later.
My peers all had Silvertone or Wards pull down portables, at best.
Sometimes I wonder if it hasn't taken me 40 years to get back to the sound of that system. |
My first true system was an NAD 3020 with an Audiocontrol C22 graphic equilizer. I used a Technics SLD1200 belt drive turntable, and Akai GXF-71 cassette deck as sources and a pair of JBL 3012 monitors connected using Monster cables.
It took me months to get that stuff out of layaway. |
In 1973 No one in My crew even considered anything other than Dynaco electronics and AR speakers. I got AR-5's(in Teak). But I couldn't stand separates, so I got a Sherwood S-7300 and a Dual 718 with an ADC XlM (>1g Tracking).The Speakers and Turntable are long gone,But I still have the Sherwood and its tuner still outclasses all my new digitals.
BTW, I am shopping on eBay for AR-5's. I miss them terribly and I can get rid of these stupid subwoofers. |
Space ship helmet 8 track player. I removed the speakers and added my own that I had gotten from a local junk yard. I had about 6 speakers running of this thing.
I was about 12 years old. |
I started around '81 with a Technics SL-Q 2 with a Denon cartridge (a 110, I think) a BIC cassette machine, Pioneer SA 710 amp and speakers were Fostex FP253's in back-loaded horns and JBL 2402's crossed over at 5kHz. |
I belive it was 1973. Marantz 2220B receiver, Pioneer PL12 turntable, and a pair of BIC Venturi Formula 2 speakers. I was 13 years old and in heaven. Ofcourse parents and neighbors hated me but that's ok. Thanks to Brian at Sound World in the Pocatello Mall for encouraging my audio curiosity. |
I started out with one of Sony's larger bookshelf systems. As a 17-year-old male, it was great. Plenty loud for when I moved into the dorms.
My next system was an HK AV receiver, Polk Audio RTi28 speakers, and an old Technics CD player.
My first 2-channel system was an NAD C320BEE, C521i, and Polk LSi7 speakers. I've barely moved beyond this, but hey, I didn't even discover the hobby until 2003. |
1971. Pioneer 626 receiver, dual turntable and Electrovoice speakers (cann't remember the model number). I told my wife that it would be a system that would satisfy me for a life time. I was mistaken. |
a transitor radio with 1 'ear bud' AM only.
Loved it!!
I use to sleep with it on all night,tucked under my pillow.
I know this isnt a 'system' but it sure sounded good! |
My first own system was Sansui miniset , when I went to sleep I put both speaker next to my ears .THe sound was pretty good a that distance...
A few years later , about 1996, I bought a complete set from Sherwood,the Opus 7 ,in gorgeous champagne colour with JBL L 20 .
THe sound was amazing ,compared to the Sansui.
For the first time I heard real bass , the music sounded so much more lifelike. |
I was in my residency at the Cleveland Clinic probably in 1986 or 87 when, after much study of Stereophile and Absolute Sound regarding bang/buck ratio I purchased a Superphon Dual Mono Revelation preamp, Adcom (? GFA 555) 200W/Ch power amp and Vandersteen 2C speakers all new to replace my Marantz receiver and Ohm speakers. The Rega 3 table replaced the venerable Techniques turntable soon after. Sorry but I have no recollection of the cartridge. |
1985, I feel like I am in the middle.
1 Boom Box (Panasonic)
1 Phono Pre (Radio Shack)
1 TT (Technics I Think. The cartridge came with the table)
1987 Ok for the first real seperate system.
NAD Receiver
Same TT
Technics Dual Cassett Deck (Model?) I still have it in the shed.
JVC 6 Disk CD Changer.
1 Pr. 10" Home made subs.
1 Pr. Minimus 7's (Radio Shack)
Now the question is how much did we spend on our first systems and how much do we have in our current systems.
Pretty Scarry,
Happy listening.
Michael |
Update, it was a stanton cartridge, not a shure. |
Circa 1978:
A 40 watt Onkyo receiver, with the amazing servo touch tuning. When you touched the tuning knob, the tuner unlocked, and a red led turned to green.
AES 3-way book shelf speakers, have no idea what ever happend to that company.
A Dual Turntable with some shure cartridge. |
About 1975 or 1976, my first system consisted of a Kenwood 6006 integrated amp, a Pioneer CTF2121 cassette deck, a BIC 960 turntable, and Electro Voice ETR-18 (3 way, 4 driver, 12" woofer) speakers. I can still remember the exact price: $726.50, probably because I earned every last cent for that system by working as a janitor's assistant. |
Pcook15 Hilarious- My first component was a Pioneer SX-680 receiver also. I used car speakers for a month or so until I saved for a pair of EPI 100 speakers. You and I are about the same age. I bought my SX-680 new around 1980. |
My first system was purchased in the summer of 1972. It consisted of a Sherwood S-7100A receiver, AR-XA turntable with Shure M91E cartridge, and Dynaco A25 loudspeakers. Total cost was $330 from Baltimore Stereo Wholesalers. I received price quotes on this equipment from several mail order houses advertised in Stereo Review. Looking back, I think I assembled quite a fine system for the price and the time. I moved up to a Sherwood S-7200 receiver the following year, and I still have that receiver. I do not even remember what happened to the other components, which I must have sold off to friends at the University of Southern California.
I wish I had kept the Dynaco A25s. I keep reading glowing reports from contented listeners on several message boards. I would love to hear them today driven by my Sumo NIne Class A amp. I wonder how they would stack up against my current Dynaudio Audience 42s. |
"Pcookl5":
What was my first system??? Well........ here it goes:
The year???? 1983
My age at the time??? 20 years old
And here are the components of that system:
Speaker System: Polk Monitor 4's
Stereo Receiver: JVC R-30 (30 Watts Per Channel)
Cassette Deck #1: Luxman K-220 (purchased in 1984)
Cassette Deck #2: Nakamichi BX-300 (purchased in 1987)
Compact Disc Player: NAD 5255 (purchased in 1985)
Cables: Monster Cable (don't remember the model numbers.... 1986)
For such a small system, this system rocked the shit out of my crib back in the day. Though, it doesn't hold a candle to the system that I have now (see the system listed below), but, if I say so myself, for a 20 year old college kid who had his first job back then, I don't think I did too badly back then. The system I really wanted back then was a pair of Boston Acoustics A60's, a Yamaha "Natural Sound" Stereo Receiver (don't remember the model number back then, but I believed it was also rated to deliver 30 Watts Per Channel), a Denon Direct-Drive Turntable (don't remember the model number of the turntable either) and a Sonus Phono Cartridge. But being that's when I got started at the time, money was an issue with me back then, and that's why I ended up getting the system stated above instead.
What I have now is this:
KEF Reference 102 Speaker System with KUBE Equalizer
REL Strata II 10" Powered Subwoofer (100 Watt Internal Amplifier)
Adcom GFA-545 Mk II Power Amplifier
Adcom GFP-750 Preamplifier (Active/Passive Line Stage)
Magnum Dynalab FT-101 FM Tuner
Meridian 508.24 Compact Disc Player
Denon DVD-2200 Universal Player
JVC XL-M509TN Compact Disc Player/Changer
VPI Scoutmaster Turntable w/JMW Memorial 9 Arm, SDS System and Grado Sonata Reference Phono Cartridge
Thorens TD-165 Belt-Drive Turntable (circa 1974) w/Grado Prestige Gold Phono Cartridge
Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette Deck (YEP...... I still got this baby)
MITerminator 2 and 3 Interconnects
MITerminator 2 Speaker Cables
Monster Cable HTS2500 Power Center/Conditioner
And while this system is still serving me well to this present day, I am getting that itch to upgrade again. But only this time, it's going to be even harder. Because right now, I got my sights set on a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 Jr's, paired up with some PS Audio Amplification (in my particular case...... a PS Audio GCA-200 with a GCP-200 with a Marantz SA-11S1 Two Channel SACD Player. This system sound LIKE MUSIC (!!!!!) AND....... Oh.... that bass response..... the kind of bass response I can make love to). But with a price tag of about $20K+, I believe that system is a little too rich for my blood right now
CAN YOU SAY LOVE????? OR INFATUATION?????
I'm kind of like "Flynntom" now, when am I going to hit that "Mega Millions" lottery????
--Charles-- |
It was the day after Christmas, 1974. I took my Christmas money into New York City and bought a Pioneer PL-12dII turntable with an Empire 1001 cartridge. When I got home I plugged it in, put on a record and watched it spin... which was all I could do, as the table was the only component I had. It wasn't until the big President's Day sales later in the year that I picked up the rest of the system... a Harman/Kardon 330c and a pair of Genesis Model One's... the ones with the green surrounds on the woofers and the yellow EPI-type tweeter.
To this day I've never owned a system that was used more.
Dean. |
1975, Technics reciever, Yamaha tape deck, Project-1 TT and Bose speakers.
That system could rock!
Cops would come visit when I played LA Woman.... |
Pioneer receiver (15WPC), turntable and cassette deck with DIY Radio Shack speakers. ( my woofers had whizzer cones :-) |
1977:
Pioneer SX-1180 Receiver
Teac Tape Deck
Techniques Turntable
Bose 601 speakers |
1971:
Kenwood Receiver (17 w/channel - don't recall the model #),
Garrard changer, (don't recall the model, nor the cartridge)
Warfedale W40 Speakers (still have them). |
1975:
SAE Mark 1 Pre-amp
SAE IVDM Amp
Onkyo 4055 Tuner
BIC 980 TT with Micro Acoustics cart.
SoundCraftsman Equalizer
ESS Heil AMT 1a Bookshelf speakers |
November 1969. Purchased from Lafayette Radio in Newark, NJ
Lafayette LR-500B receiver
Garrard 40B record changer
Pickering V15/ACE 400 cartridge
KLH 22A speakers |
I forget the model numbers. It was a Heathkit preamp,a Crown amp(used),a pair of Heathkit four ohm three ways,a Dual turntable with a Shure cartridge,and Sennheiser cans.
Fresh out of school with plastic burning a hole in my pocket,I made a mistake with the speakers and the amp,both of which were obese for the listening room. |
I bought my first system in 1975. A Marantz 2275 receiver, Marantz 6300 turntable with a Stanton 681EEE cartridge, and JBL 4311 speakers - I loved that system. I had a Technics DD turntable and Technics speakers before that, but only for a month or so, so I don't really count them - even then I could hear differences in gear, and sold them because they were fatiguing to listen to. |
1979 - Yamaha CA 600 integrated amp, Pioneer HPM 40 speakers, Yamaha T-550 Tuner and Pioneer PL51xx turntable (don't remember which model in that series). I loved that system and actually still have it all except the Pioneer turntable which my wife dropped in our driveway the day we were moving from our first house :( |
1954. Garrard manual TT, GE phono pickup (mono with "flip over" 33 and 78 rpm stylii), Heathkit 20 watt integrated amplifier, Wharfedale 8" driver (full range, with floppy flannel cloth surround and strong magnet) in homemade corner enclosure. That driver would be good today. |
1999, I was 21, Eosone RSF-600 speakers, Aiwa A/V receiver and Aiwa CD changer. Boy those were fun days. My first upgrade over a boombox.
Got an Audio Alchemy preamp and amp and Adcom DAC in early 2001. I got to learn what a SOUNDSTAGE was. Holy sh!t.
Got a better DAC (which I still have) and Wharfedales off of uBid.com in early 2002. Then got a tube preamp, tube amp, acoustat electrostats in late 2002. Got into vinyl in 2003. Got front projection in 2004. Now I'm running maggies. |
No, wait. I remember a Lloyd's all in one stereo, with the turntable built on the top of a rather large receiver base. One day it began smoking. Led to the purchase of the Radio shack and discovery of "separates". |
A radio shack receiver purchased when I was a teen. It had brushed silver face with very thin horizontal window spanning the chasis. Functions were indicated by red lights. I'd give anything to have it back again.
I had spent my last dollar or two to get it, and I didn't have any money for speakers. So, I ripped apart a couple of old console stereos, took the naked 10" full range drivers and used them as my first speaker system.
That was 25 years ago! I'm still cobbling together systems, but the components are a bit better now. |
National quadrosonic,this are popular in Asia, that
time, then my dad bought Akai quadro also, this are
played by LP.Then I came here in the US,Harman Kardon
citation pre and amp,then bought OHM speaker walsh 3,
omni directional,then bought Martin Logan QUest, then
Plinius SA100, then Andra Eggleston,then put onother
system bought Oddyssey extreme stratos,sp Norh 6.9
marble rewire by Siltech, then bought Diapason AdamantesII.
and cable cables cables...........cdp Sony 9000es modified
by Modwright,and AH tube with upsampler cdp, rewired by
siltech also. |
Yes still makes my system howl (The Gates of Delirium - Relayer - 1974) |
1998 all Pioneer system. I can still hear it. Before then there was only a realistic tape player and headphones. |
1973 - I got what I call my "Dentist's office system", so called because every dentist's office had one at the time. It consisted of a Panasonic 4 wpc receiver, and a pair of trapezoidal plastic single driver speakers that had captive wires that plugged into the back of the receiver with RCAs. It also came with a BSR 4800 changer with a ceramic cartridge. I was thrilled with this system until I bought a Yes record that made the speakers howl with every cymbal crash. This set me on a course of buying, tweaking and modifying that lasted for 25 years. I have less time for that now, but its still fun to mess around with this stuff from time to time. |
1963; Scott LK72 amp kit, LT110 tuner kit, Bozak 3001 speakers, Garrard A immediately replaced with Fairchild 412 turntable and arm, Tandberg 64 reel to reel. I recently obtained a MINT Scott 340 receiver (same as above separates) and just restored a Fairchild 412. Looking for the Bozaks now. |
