Is your now then?

Then #1 – late 60s, 70s. Revox A77 reel to reel, Revox amp, Thorens TT, Dynaco and then Bose 901 speakers. Formative period. Looking back? Sometimes yes. But mainly nostalgic, such a sense of freedom back then, progressive and engaging music - not due to the sound.  

Then #2 – 1980s – I was into programming and bought into the digital delusion at the time. A bit is a bit, right? Bought DAT recorders, taking over from the reel-to-reel. Looking back? Not at all. Never play my DAT tapes (and seldom, my CDs).

Then #3 – 90s, 00s – I was told my system would sound good if only I got a big beefy amp. So, moving up the Krell line, I ended with the big FPB600, plus huge Dynaudio Consequence speakers. Looking back? Sometimes, yes. The bass was mighty. But all in all, no.

Now – last ten years – OTL amps with matched speakers, plus an improved vinyl setup.  Closer to the sound I was always looking for.

Technology «marching on»? I don’t believe in the theory of the march of productive forces through history. What happens is development in some areas along with setbacks in others. Often due to tech over-optimism. The naive idea that solid-state sounded as good as tubes, and that CDs would be ‘perfect sound forever’, are examples.

In the late 50's-early 60's my parents bought this "375 watt" console, beautiful woodwork, very lousy sound quality.  One of my high school buddies brought a scope over and found that this system produced only about 8 watts per channel before the distortion climbed "through the roof".
When the Sgt. Pepper album was released, I set in front of one of those plastic stereo portable units with the "fold down" turntable, my first experience of "stereo sound"...and was "hooked" on audio.
I went off to college with a Kenwood integrated amp, Dual 1219/Shure V15, Wollensak reel-to-reel and Large Advents.
Since then I've had lots of other components, am now at a point where I'm pretty much "done" with upgrades!

My 1st exposure to a 'high-end' system was in 1969. Consisted of:
AR3a speakers, Dynaco ST-70 amp, Dynaco PAS3 preamp, AR XA turntable. Doubt it could compare to my current system. That said, I can't help to think that I would enjoy the older system today should I have a chance to listen to it.

I own a ST-70 and a AR XA. Can't seem to justify the cost of the PAS3 and AR3a speakers at current prices to put said system together. 

I don't regret a single upgrade I've made over the years. Yeah, I still do sometimes miss the tone of my ancient Denon 103(?) but I don't miss its terrible tracking and end-of-side distortion. The same goes for the Koetsu Black I had for a while. Yes, there might have been a few missteps along the way (and I'll be damned if I could remember 'em), but what can I say? I'm just happy with my stereo.

Early exposures to the Infinity's, AR everythings, ESS ribbons, the original Ohm f/r Walsh's, Phase Linears', Marantz, Revox, Crown anything.....

Yeah, a lot of that.
Bought when I could, DIY'd if I couldn't, periods when I had next to nil.
A lot of digital of late.

I 'amuse' self and my muse.....it's enough. ;) *s*