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Is your now then?

What was your first significant experience with quality audio (then) and how does it compare with your present system (your now).
Do you think we strive to return to the past and remain in those influential times? Are our choices psychological, nostalgic even....?

Mine is a mixed bag. Solid state with turntable were my beginnings. Presently SS with digital sources trumping my TT most days. I am still enamored by albums and uber turntables, but budget constraints and the ease of digital is presently winning.
jpwarren58
crustycoot
644 posts
 
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. 
inscrutable
313 posts
 
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.
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,617 posts
 
A technics tt,pioneer receiver, parallex speakers was my first system in the early 70s.After many different configurations over the years I'm very happy with CDs, a tube amp,and Zu speakers.I'm feeling that 70s live concert vibe again. Totally satisfied.
fedie
61 posts
 
I remember a baby grand piano ,behind it was a jades amplifier, and two speakers on stands , the setup was simple, no rack , Many people  in the building were talking about Victor , with a new invention that would make cd, sound better .   Many years later I called him , his company was fanfare int. I purchased a audio  valve  , second hand from a store, and he was nice enough to send me the literature I needed. 
sns
3,216 posts
 
Inscrutable, we had a Lafayette store in our neighborhood for a short time when I was a kid, Really had no sense of high end audio, but seeing inside all this electronic equipment brought about sense of wonder. As an adolescent, good friend purchased a Lafayette receiver,  best memory of that, Black Sabbath's Sweet Leaf played over and over.
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