Is your now then?

Do you think we strive to return to the past and remain in those influential times? Are our choices psychological, nostalgic even....?

If you don't enjoy music today as much as you did in the past, this would probably be true. I do think I enjoy it as much as before - both the music itself and the thrill of improving my sound system. Difficult to say though; what I find most enjoyable today (detail, timbre, tone) is not what I was craving as a teen (volume, bass, bass and more volume)

Then #1 – late 60s, 70s. Revox A77 reel to reel, Revox amp, Thorens TT, Dynaco and then Bose 901 speakers. Formative period. Looking back? Sometimes yes. But mainly nostalgic, such a sense of freedom back then, progressive and engaging music - not due to the sound.  

Then #2 – 1980s – I was into programming and bought into the digital delusion at the time. A bit is a bit, right? Bought DAT recorders, taking over from the reel-to-reel. Looking back? Not at all. Never play my DAT tapes (and seldom, my CDs).

Then #3 – 90s, 00s – I was told my system would sound good if only I got a big beefy amp. So, moving up the Krell line, I ended with the big FPB600, plus huge Dynaudio Consequence speakers. Looking back? Sometimes, yes. The bass was mighty. But all in all, no.

Now – last ten years – OTL amps with matched speakers, plus an improved vinyl setup.  Closer to the sound I was always looking for.

Technology «marching on»? I don’t believe in the theory of the march of productive forces through history. What happens is development in some areas along with setbacks in others. Often due to tech over-optimism. The naive idea that solid-state sounded as good as tubes, and that CDs would be ‘perfect sound forever’, are examples.

In the late 50's-early 60's my parents bought this "375 watt" console, beautiful woodwork, very lousy sound quality.  One of my high school buddies brought a scope over and found that this system produced only about 8 watts per channel before the distortion climbed "through the roof".
When the Sgt. Pepper album was released, I set in front of one of those plastic stereo portable units with the "fold down" turntable, my first experience of "stereo sound"...and was "hooked" on audio.
I went off to college with a Kenwood integrated amp, Dual 1219/Shure V15, Wollensak reel-to-reel and Large Advents.
Since then I've had lots of other components, am now at a point where I'm pretty much "done" with upgrades!

My 1st exposure to a 'high-end' system was in 1969. Consisted of:
AR3a speakers, Dynaco ST-70 amp, Dynaco PAS3 preamp, AR XA turntable. Doubt it could compare to my current system. That said, I can't help to think that I would enjoy the older system today should I have a chance to listen to it.

I own a ST-70 and a AR XA. Can't seem to justify the cost of the PAS3 and AR3a speakers at current prices to put said system together. 

I don't regret a single upgrade I've made over the years. Yeah, I still do sometimes miss the tone of my ancient Denon 103(?) but I don't miss its terrible tracking and end-of-side distortion. The same goes for the Koetsu Black I had for a while. Yes, there might have been a few missteps along the way (and I'll be damned if I could remember 'em), but what can I say? I'm just happy with my stereo.