Walk down memory lane


With some discussions here trending towards the negative, harsh even, I thought about my introduction into the world of HiFi. From lugging home my first component "system" from Radio Shack to seeking out the more esoteric. When my school friends were more interested in the sports world, I found contentment taking trips to HiFi shops within reasonable distance of a sometimes reliable car. 
I was lucky enough to have two really great audio shops in my area. One of which I worked in during college. A wealth of knowledge coming from my boss and his wife, who to this day are close friends. 
For me it was being surrounded by great gear, being able to set up multiple combinations of kit and noticing the subtle differences, (sometimes not so subtle). When I was working it was the time spent with a customer, building something that sounded good to their ears and met their tastes. 
For me it was The Speaker Shop and Audio Arts in NE Ohio. 
What was your shop and what was special about it to you... 
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OP - great redux of a thread we do every 3 months w slight twists… good on ya, i always learn something…

Similar story, different geography..but close. I spent half days my senior HS year working at Audio Connection in Huron Ohio. Work study because i ran out of AP classes and owner of store rescued me with “ work-study”… Yes paid to skip Skool in a high end audio store. Dream realized. Owner had a full time job elsewhere, so i had run of place. My parents had a high end Bozak / Mac system from my age of five, so no stranger to good sound.

Store carried Thiel, IMF, Shahinian, and JBL raw drivers and Community Light and Sound horns/cabinets for pro / high spl duty. Tables were Technics, and Ariston, SME arms, Grado carts, Audionics of Oregon and Sansui on lower end.

In University i quickly landed a full time job selling audio at Speaker Company in Columbus. They  Engineered own line of kits and sold Kef kits as well. They morphed into a 7 showroom ( audio only ) monster Progressive Audio. I helped manage that until returning to school mid eighties. Lines included; Infinity, Acoustat, Quad, Soundlab, Beveridge, ADS, KEF, Wilson, Vandersteen, Similar depth in electronics, etc..

Like you i took and still do, great pleasure in helping people. Servant leadership works.

Jim

 
OP - I looked on your system page - lovely room and groove, i bet it sings… We share a 240 in common. Mine is 1961 heavily modified w HK style regulation topology and a slug of PIO caps. Not my Dad’s 240.

You may enjoy this:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7106#&gid=1&pid=11

Best to you

Jim
Thank you Jim!
I have a graying Lab as well. 
Love your set up, multiple speaker options to boot!
Your 240 is sweet and clean, great hot rodding too. Mine had some minor repairs and refresh a year ago, plus new tubes. It may have more dents and patina than a 74 Pinto, but it sings and I'll never retire it.