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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
mesch
3,403 posts
 
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. 
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
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.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,298 posts
 
Early exposures to the Infinity's, AR everythings, ESS ribbons, the original Ohm f/r Walsh's, Phase Linears', Marantz, Revox, Crown anything.....

Yeah, a lot of that.
Bought when I could, DIY'd if I couldn't, periods when I had next to nil.
A lot of digital of late.

I 'amuse' self and my muse.....it's enough. ;) *s*
gents's avatar
gents
94 posts
 
I’m not sure if I’ve romanticized the memory of the sound the came out of my Technics SL1800 TT’s into an 85 Watt Marantz 2385 receiver into some big fuzzy brown Cerwin Vegas, but I remember it as visceral and glorious. I’ve yet to hear vinyl sound stronger than it did in the 70s.
And it’s been about 45 years since I’ve heard ’Sinatra At The Sands’ slam like it did out of that rig- and I’ve had some fine & powerful rigs through the years.
pauly
1,012 posts
 
I don't regret a single upgrade I've made over the years


I don’t regret my upgrades either, but I sure regret all the downgrades I have made. And I made many. 

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