In the late 50’s my dad and I built a mono system, I think is was Heathkit. Then we graduated to stereo with a Knightkit 20wpc amp and a Knightkit AM/FM tuner with a Garrard changer. He built the speaker cabints and used a tri-axial driver. It sounded pretty good but real bass heavy.
Then after marriage I bought an RCA Stereo console from the company store. We listened to that for several years until I finally broke into components again. It was a packaged system whose manufacturer eludes me, also with a Garrard changer and nameless bookshelf speakers. That system lasted until the mid-seventies when I bought a pair of JBL L100s, a Pioneer receiver (something like 100 wpc) and a Garrard TT.
Then a work friend in the mid-eighties wanted me to really hear. So he took me to Fat Julian’s and got me a C-J PV6, an Acoustat Trans Nova Twin 120 and Magnapan MGIIa’s. The turntable is a Denon DP-60L with a Grace F-9e. I didn’t like the Maggys and soon retired them using the JBLs as a replacement. That system still sounds fantastic, with all the C-J and Acoustat Cap upgrades and a fancy new crossover for the JBLs designed by Troels Graveson. The Grace has the Sound-Smith Ruby OCL F9 replacement stylus.
Still on the "quest" though, I went through a myriad of phono preamps and have finally settled on a BAT VK-P6SE. It sounds right. The tube chain is followed by a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium preamp and HP power amp. I’ve settled on ATC SCM-19 Bookshelf monitors for that system.
Vinyl playback is done on a VPI Prime Signature w/ ADC and Periphery Ring and a Sound-Smith Helios cartridge.
Digital sources have come and gone. From the basic Sony single disc player to the Sony 75ES 5 disc changer to no CD player at all. My digital is warehoused on a computer using a Lynx Hilo Reference A/D-D/A converter via usb. I also have Sony and Panasonic DAT player/recorders and 100’s of live shows recorded on portable DAT equipment.
What a long strange trip it’s been.
Then after marriage I bought an RCA Stereo console from the company store. We listened to that for several years until I finally broke into components again. It was a packaged system whose manufacturer eludes me, also with a Garrard changer and nameless bookshelf speakers. That system lasted until the mid-seventies when I bought a pair of JBL L100s, a Pioneer receiver (something like 100 wpc) and a Garrard TT.
Then a work friend in the mid-eighties wanted me to really hear. So he took me to Fat Julian’s and got me a C-J PV6, an Acoustat Trans Nova Twin 120 and Magnapan MGIIa’s. The turntable is a Denon DP-60L with a Grace F-9e. I didn’t like the Maggys and soon retired them using the JBLs as a replacement. That system still sounds fantastic, with all the C-J and Acoustat Cap upgrades and a fancy new crossover for the JBLs designed by Troels Graveson. The Grace has the Sound-Smith Ruby OCL F9 replacement stylus.
Still on the "quest" though, I went through a myriad of phono preamps and have finally settled on a BAT VK-P6SE. It sounds right. The tube chain is followed by a Prima Luna Dialogue Premium preamp and HP power amp. I’ve settled on ATC SCM-19 Bookshelf monitors for that system.
Vinyl playback is done on a VPI Prime Signature w/ ADC and Periphery Ring and a Sound-Smith Helios cartridge.
Digital sources have come and gone. From the basic Sony single disc player to the Sony 75ES 5 disc changer to no CD player at all. My digital is warehoused on a computer using a Lynx Hilo Reference A/D-D/A converter via usb. I also have Sony and Panasonic DAT player/recorders and 100’s of live shows recorded on portable DAT equipment.
What a long strange trip it’s been.
