I wouldn't say there was a single moment in my hi fi audio awakening, there was a series of small ones.
As an elementary school kid in the mid '60s, my Dad would allow me access to his collection of LPs and his console record player. This is where I discovered Chet Atkins, classical music and those hi-fidelity stereo train recordings.
Around 1970 my Dad brought home a Sansui receiver, Sony reel-to-reel, KLH speakers, BSR turntable and a Magnavox 8-track. It was during this time that I started listening to Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, The O'Jays and Richard Pryor.
When I got my first car in 1977, I lusted for a pair of Jensen Triaxials and a Pioneer Super Tuner. I got the Jensens, but never the Pioneer. Instead I went with a tape deck made by a company called Evadin. It was around 1979 I bought a Blaupunkt 2001 tape deck which to this day brings back fond memories.
I was walking down the street one day during the Star Wars craze of the late '70s. I heard John Williams blasting from a small store across the street, so I went to investigate. I walked into a store where a single Altech Lansing speaker was cranking the Star Wars theme. This speaker had a horn tweeter and an 18 or 24" woofer, and the proud, lone store employee, all glasses and teeth yelled, "isn't it great?!!" I thought "SH*T yeah!!!!"
In 1983 I outfitted my car with two Alpine amps and ADS 320i seprates, and a pair of subwoofers I bought from Signal Electronics. I built my first crossover to accommodate these subs. This was long before thumpin' rides. Mine was blaring John Williams.
In the mid /80s I remember drooling over the Carver "Cool Cube" 400 watt amp in the Paris Audio ads I always saw in the LA Times. I also thought the KEF 104.2s were the SH*T then as well. I also wanted one of those satin white Perreaux 22xx series amps, but I could never afford any of it on an entry level graphic designer's income.
Now I'm living the dream, but paying through the nose. And I'm happy!
