My first memory was the long evening basement parties my parents threw. All would end up in bed except my father cranking a portable 3M reel-reel player listening to "The Happy Harmonica" until the wee hours of the morning, or until he was sent to bed by mom.
Years later, I received my first Zenith portable 45/78 player and dug into mom's 50's singles collection and started spinning some classic 78's. Every few months went by and I would have to tape another penny on top of the phono arm to get the needle to play but vowed to someday get into real stereo.
I finally landed a job in my teens and made my first purchase into high-end with a Pioneer SX-880 receiver. At the store, the salesman heard me remarking about McIntosh gear and subsequently dragged me into a back listening room full of McIntosh gear. I left the store with tears in my eyes vowing to avenge my fathers poor reel-reel with all out McIntosh.
Many years went by, having to sell off my stereo collection twice to go back to college which was painful. Finally, in the prime of my life and still in college, I decided life is too short and I would beg, borrow, and steal to assemble the dream system. Two years later I am in heaven, along with significant debt, but looking back wouldn't have changed a thing. My father has long since passed but I am sure he is here listening with me on those long imbibing evenings when I crank his favorite "Ink Spots" CD.
I should close by stating that I grew up 3 hours from the McIntosh factory, hence the attraction and devotion. Finally, if there are any reel-reel buffs out there who are familiar with "The Happy Harmonica" and can transfer to digital medium I would forever be in your debt.