Who Were Your Mentors


I'm curious about who your audio mentors were, and how they influenced your audio journey and the system you pursued?  Father, uncle, friend, sales dude, local manufacturer, other?
knotscott
I am bless with ear of God. I do lot of listen with wife, wife sister and lately clean girl join us occasion to.
I did not have any mentors. When I was 16 and was purchasing my first system, a Sansui 210 receiver and a pair of Rectilinear 1A speakers with a Garrod turntable and Sony Cassette deck, my dad was furious.  He said I already had a portable radio and a portable cassette recorder and asked why I needed a stereo. 

It took me a month to convince him to let me buy it (with my own money).  I believe the total outlay at the time was around $600.  Man, I felt like I was on top of the world.   If I only knew at the time that this would turn into a life long obsession. 
A friend introduced me to "high-end" audio. Other than that, it was my own passion and drive.
Bob Grodinsky. Audio electronics designer.
Larry. Sales. Owned a shop close to Bob’s house.
Totally non related.

How 'bout you, what you got?