Is your now then?

That would have been 1978 when I heard the HQD system for the first time. (Hartley, Quad, Decca) Not only is my current system better sounding but it is way more reliable. We blew Decca ribbons and Quads all over the place. I am not a romantic and have no attachment to the past. There is absolutely nothing mythical about it. Technology soldiers on. I am after the best sound not romantically colored sound. There was this one system centered on Pyramid Metronome speakers and Threshold electronics that is my Pantheon of all time great systems. It was the first system that I ever heard image correctly. If it hadn't been for that system I wouldn't know how far you can take it, what to shoot for.

I worked for Federal Express ,I delivered to a apartment in Manhattan,  standing outside the door I heard music , the maid open the door , and  the sound just beautiful ,like I never experience before. One day a gentleman answered the door ,And invited me in ,  It was Victor Goldstein , That’s were it all started 30 years ago.

fedie ... great story!  Can you elaborate on your impromptu meeting w Victor?  Do recall anything of his system?  

At Lafayette Radio on Rte 17 Paramus, NJ, l was there to buy my first stereo, a KLH 11 suitcase, and I asked to hear the best they had. The proprietor put on Rectilinear 3s with a Mac amp. Wow. Next, in Chicago at Victor’s I heard IMF Studios playing Cat Stevens Angelsea and Quad ESLs (57s) playing a Mozart chamber orchestra and I was set on my path. I’ve never had the disposable income to own the best, but the pursuit has been great. 

1970 Lafayette LA-950 integrated (have repurchased for nostalgia), Garrard 40B, Criterion 100B speakers … tremendous improvements over suitcase stereo and portable 5” Aiwa R2R.

Thinking of recreating that strictly for nostalgia, but probably won’t. I’ve already recreated my college/post-college system (ca 1978 JVC integrated, Pioneer table, Polk Mon7) partially for nostalgia but also respectable SQ … I could listen as only system if necessary.

Nothing holds a candle to modern system wrt SQ.