My father's passion for recorded music was the true root of it all. He had a very good mono system (Weathers table, Bogen tube amp and preamp, and Altec speaker) until 1967 when he bought his first stereo (Garrard table, Scott solid state receiver, and Scott 3-way floor standing speakers). That system was not as good as what it replaced, but it was equipment lust 101 for me. I was regularly transfixed by Tchaikovsky, Horace Silver, Beatles and Puccini.
We had an indulgent neighbor that allowed me to cannibalize the dozens of dead and dying TVs and stereo consoles in his basement to cobble together crappy systems (speaker cabinets out of cardboard cartons, etc.). All the while I was buying records with every penny of disposable income (nothing's changed!). My first "real" system was a Panasonic Dentist's Office special (de rigeur for every dentist's office in the early 70s) that I modified over and over until I started buying real equipment a short time later (mowing lawns and paper route = equipment).
I got into the audio industry in the late 70's, buying equipment cheaply in bulk and selling it for a small profit. I also bought Hafler kits and modified them for sale to friends for a small mark up. All the while I was getting hugely into the playing and recording of music. Much of my college time was spent on these pursuits.
Although I remain an avid musicaholic, my drive for building and collecting equipment is greatly diminished. The system that I have assembled dispenses musical bliss with nary an effort, and I feel no compulsion to change a thing. My son, however, has stepped into the breach. He has started building his own system and tweaking things to his liking. Alas, the passion has been communicated to another generation.
We had an indulgent neighbor that allowed me to cannibalize the dozens of dead and dying TVs and stereo consoles in his basement to cobble together crappy systems (speaker cabinets out of cardboard cartons, etc.). All the while I was buying records with every penny of disposable income (nothing's changed!). My first "real" system was a Panasonic Dentist's Office special (de rigeur for every dentist's office in the early 70s) that I modified over and over until I started buying real equipment a short time later (mowing lawns and paper route = equipment).
I got into the audio industry in the late 70's, buying equipment cheaply in bulk and selling it for a small profit. I also bought Hafler kits and modified them for sale to friends for a small mark up. All the while I was getting hugely into the playing and recording of music. Much of my college time was spent on these pursuits.
Although I remain an avid musicaholic, my drive for building and collecting equipment is greatly diminished. The system that I have assembled dispenses musical bliss with nary an effort, and I feel no compulsion to change a thing. My son, however, has stepped into the breach. He has started building his own system and tweaking things to his liking. Alas, the passion has been communicated to another generation.